“Then it’s NOT security!”
Sure it is. It’s just conditional and not absolute.
“There most certainly are.”
Nope. Not a single one. If there were, then that would mean the Bible contradicts itself and that is an impossibility. Again, some Protestants are bright enough to realize this: http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/unconditional-eternal-security.htm
John 5, for instance:
OBJECTION #4. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life,” Jn. 5:24. The verse says “will not be condemned.” Therefore, one cannot lose it!
ANSWER: The word in Jn. 5:24 rendered “believes” is transliterated as PISTEUON and is also a PRESENT PARTICIPLE in the Greek. Therefore, the Lord is saying here that we must CONTINUOUSLY BE BELIEVING the Father, that is, his testimony about Jesus, which implies that Jesus alone is to be the focal point of our TRUST for our soul’s salvation. See Matt. 17:5 cf. Jn. 14:6. We will never be condemned, as long as we keep this condition — a continued 100% trusting in Jesus for our soul’s salvation.
John 10, for instance:
OBJECTION #1. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand,” Jn. 10:28. Therefore, if, having received eternal life, we could lose it and perish, it would make Christ a liar.
“Notice a triple promise here concerning the security of God’s sheep. First, Christ gives them ‘eternal’ life. Second, they shall ‘never’ perish, and third, neither shall any pluck them out of Christ’s hand.”(26)
ANSWER: Jn. 10:28 is a wonderful and true promise, but only as Jesus meant it to be understood! We must examine Jn. 10:27 carefully to understand who “them” and “they” are in verse 28 and what the Lord was saying. It reads, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they FOLLOW me.” This is the only type of person, the one that meets these conditions, that will “NEVER PERISH,” according to the next verse!
Did you notice the words, “they follow me”? The word translated “follow” is a PRESENT INDICATIVE ACTIVE in the Greek, which asserts something which is occurring while the speaker is making the statement. In other words, as long as we remain faithful and CONTINUE to follow Jesus, He will, indeed, assure us that we will “never perish,” v.28.
No such promise, however, is given here (or anywhere in the Bible) to one that would turn and start “to follow Satan” as Paul knew could and did happen (1 Tim. 5:15)! It clearly does NOT cover such. Some read into Jn. 10:28 the words, “under any circumstance” after the words “never perish,” but they are NOT there! Jesus did NOT include them in his promise and neither should we!
And remember, Corner is as anti-Catholic as they come, but he knows the truth about OSAS. It’s a fraud.
If it’s conditional, you are not secure.