And if someone commits acts of hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and the like… is this evidence they are not saved?
I would THINK the OSAS stand implies that 'backsliding' is impossible. If you backslide, you were never saved.
And here's the attack: How many who "backslide" thought they were saved before they died in their sins? If any, then how does this or that Christian KNOW (with the 'blessed assurance' so often spoken of) that he is not mistaken to think himself saved?
I think that's a serious question, not a game. I don't intend it as a game. I DID at one time find Kierkegaard's Work of Love very persuasive.
And if someone commits acts of hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and the like… is this evidence they are not saved?
If their life has not been changed and continue in sin with abandon, then I would certainly doubt their salvation.
That really is the point of James 2.
Christians who are truly regenerated will hate their sin. They still are however not perfect and will fall occasionally. They have been already forgiven but they try not to sin and hate it after they do. It grieves them to know that their sin, caused the Savior to suffer and die.
Salvation is hardly a free gift if one can lose it. AND if we could lose it, WE Certainly WOULD.
Christ came to save sinners, not the righteous (self-righteous).
However, that is different than someone who life is marked by sin behavior and shows no sign of remorse or repentance.