SD-"Well, in your estimation, you wouldn't."
There's nothing I can do that makes me right with God. Christ did it all. I can't earn it nor can I maintain it. It is a free gift. I can only follow His example through His strength fully depended on Him. Any good works that I have (baptism included) is because of our Lord Jesus to the praise of His glory. When I fail to depend on Him then I fail but I don't lose my salvation.
And since you've recommended 1 John may I suggest the following verse:
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
And since you've recommended 1 John may I suggest the following verse:
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
What is it that makes you think you are one of the "elect"? How do you know you aren't one who is "not really of us"?
SD