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"How could that be, if once saved always saved is right? No snarkiness please. It is a serious question."

Scripture is replete with examples of people who expressed faith but later walked away. Witness Judas. As John said:

"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us" (1John 2:19)

John was talking about those that made a good start- expressed faith, played the part. The fact that they didn't persevere proved that their conversion was not genuine.

Reformed Christians prefer the term "Perseverance of the Saints" when discussing the issue of security of salvation. Those destined for salvation MUST persevere and WILL persevere. "Once saved always saved" is often thought of as a "get it of hell" ticket that one buys with a one- time expression of faith, disregarding the necessity of a life of faith.

“John was talking about those that made a good start- expressed faith, played the part. The fact that they didn’t persevere proved that their conversion was not genuine.”

better word is demonstrated.

They were not ever believers. Ever. Leaving revealed the truth.