It's a whole lot more rational to take James' warning to heart that faith without works is dead. If we do the works in faith and it ends up making no difference, then at least we'll still have done some good in the world.
But if it ends up that our works do matter and we've acted as if they didn't.... Well, I'd just as soon not test that theory.
And that's all I have to say on the matter. To enter the death spiral of a predestination debate is to lose any hope of a rational conversation.
Amen Brother. Anyone who's spent much time leading Bible study groups will definitely appreciate your point.