Is eternal security a "license" to sin?

You left out "life characterized by continuous..."

While some passages about servants who do not obey the LORD argue for a purifying fire like purgatory, it is difficult to argue that weeping and gnashing of teeth, as well as being cast into outer darkness are (always or ever) a form of purgatory, and these words are for servants who do not watch.

You need to supply these verses, so that we can explore their context. "purgatory" is an extra-biblical doctrine based on a lie. See below on works and righteousness.

As to obey: Greek "obey" is sometimes translated as "believe". See John 3:36:

He that believeth (πιστεύων) on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth (ἀπειθῶν) not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

ὁ πιστεύων εἰς τὸν υἱὸν ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον· ὁ δὲ ἀπειθῶν τῷ υἱῷ οὐκ ὄψεται ζωήν ἀλλ' ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἐπ' αὐτόν

It's not dificult to understand the relationship -- to obey the Lord by following him in faith.

Many today believe in this false works doctrine. It's not new. Israel also sought righteousness through works. Not possible.

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:30-33)

Trying to achieve righteousness by following after the law is NOT possible.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21)

You say one thing and then nullify It with your ensuing contingencies. You are saved NOW, believer! From that secure position you are now free to “walk worthy”.

There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Believe THAT!

We are talking past each other. Christ redeemed the world, and that is one reason we are called sons of the Father.

However, please remember what Jesus told the woman caught in adultery. He isn’t condemning her, but he does tell to sin no more. She is worthy of forgiveness, but also needs to amend her life.

We have to be on guard, wary of the evil one, and the glamor of evil.

Romans 7
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Paul could not quit sinning even though the spirit that was in him hated sin, We can only do our best.

Any true believer suffers for their sin just like Paul did.

It is the sin that dwelleth in us.

Romans 8:10
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Luke 6
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

James 2
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James is simply explaining what Jesus told us in verse 31.
Our bodies will be put in the grave and be destroyed, and sin along with it.

You need to supply these verses, so that we can explore their context.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

...

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

...

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Matthew, Catholic chapter twenty four, Protestant verses forty two to fifty one
Matthew, Catholic chapter twenty five, Protestant verses fourteen to thirty
Luke, Catholic chapter twelve, Protestant verses thirty five to forty eight

You didn’t give the chapter and verse references which would help.

When I look back upon my life
It’s always with a sense of shame
I’ve always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too

It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to
It’s a sin

At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn’t quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too

It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to
It’s a sin

Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me, I didn’t believe it
Father, you fought me, ‘cause I didn’t care
And I still don’t understand

So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I’ve always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too

It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to - it’s a sin
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5OYtAauQRk

We all live a life of continuous, willful sin. All sin is willful, and we sin everyday. To suggest we don’t is absurd.

So, the question remains.

I can both intellectually and emotionally accept Christ as my savior and objectively understand that my sins both past and present are forgiven.

There’s a serious guilt factor at work which is different for everyone.

The question remains;

Am I still worthy of Christ’s redemption if I knowingly sin?

If no, then when?

If yes then why bother.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOPdqxVP6Ow

There’s a commitment factor to the Lord above that should be adhered too, but as you say “We are all sinners”

We are NEVER worthy of Christ’s Redemption, that’s why it is such an enormous gift! He offers it freely, an eternity of life with the Father.

However, we often reject this gift, sometimes in minor, or grave ways. To fully enjoy what He has freely given, we must conform ourselves to His will. If we don’t, He has warned us Hell awaits.

Heaven is the outcome of obeying God, and all He commands. We lack perfection, and He offers us His Mercy, if we desire it.

Hell is the outcome of disobedience. It is also the outcome of impenitence and presumption. If one says, “Well, God knows I’m sorry, so I don’t really need to do anything,” consider that pride, and also consider its consequence.

We should obey God out of love and acknowledgement of his Perfection, Omnipotence, and Omniscience. On paper it seems easy and logical. However, we are all victims of our own pride, the influence of the evil one, and the world.

We should strive to be worthy of His great gift, though we never can be. And we should do it out of love for Him.

Sometimes pop music just “says it”, lol.

If you love God more than you love sin, you will not be sinless but you will sin less. As time goes by you will sin less.

What we learn from the Bible is that the battle is internal. If you love sin more than you love God, you will continue to sin. In this sense, the question is very concrete and mathematical.

We should strive to be worthy of His great gift, though we never can be. And we should do it out of love for Him.

Everyone has differing feelings of guilt or unworthiness as they navigate their lives.

Does Knowing right from wrong, or the lack of knowing, make a difference in God’s eyes?

This then gets really personal.

Willful disregard and ignorance.

What we learn from the Bible is that the battle is internal. If you love sin more than you love God, you will continue to sin. In this sense, the question is very concrete and mathematical.

I really need to explore this further in the context of this thread.

FWIW,

I found Christ as my savior on Jan 1 2000 in a state of despair.

Prior to that, I was raised by a Roman Catholic father and the daughter of a Norwegian Methodist Minister from North Dakota. I attended Sunday School as a matter of what my Father wanted me to do without any discussion. I got nothing from those days. They separated and divorced when I was 12 and was left to my own devices, literally.

Left to discover both myself and a truth that transcends anything that could be TOLD to me.

I was completely free to mess up and figure things out for myself. And I did both.

I worked my butt off and along the way I found myself watching a PBS series by Joseph Campbell on mythology. I was fascinated. He’s conclusion is that WE are all Gods. This never really worked well with me as I sat that aside and continued on my path.

It was Jan. 1 2000 when I woke up after a devastating night realizing that my wife is cheating on me and what may become of my daughter. It was Charles Stanley that happened to pop up on the television. This is when I accepted Christ.

Just when I thought everything will now make sense, I soon discovered the seriousness of this position.

There was an awakening of my new/renewed foundations of belief.

I dove head first into the Bible and quickly realized that Apologetics was required. I attended a number of conferences and bible study groups and read boat loads of material. I thoughtfully examined the works of leading Christians and others. Ironically, it was Joseph Campbell and his Buddhism that reaffirmed my belief in God. I studied Evolution, Buddhism, the Koran, Physics and all the math along the way.

I came to a logical conclusion after a process of elimination that there is only one God and Creator, and Jesus came to earth and died for my sins. There is no escaping this.

I know this.

I just can’t stop myself from being severely flawed.

Thank you for your testimony.

You negate the power of the Holy Spirit and His work living inside you. It isn’t an “intellectual” pursuit. It is a desire not to sin.

It is a matter of the ‘changing of the heart’.

In my pride and vanity I can’t self-will my way away from sin, I must let go of sin through surrender of my will to the Higher Power and all that implies, including the Holy Spirit which I certainly was not born with.

You didn’t give the chapter and verse references which would help.

Yes, I did.

All the scriptural references are linked at the bottom.

He never does. Though he’s been asked to many, many times.