Again, good preaching, but not sure how it addresses the point. The way you interpret this is how you must to keep your Calvinist grid overlaid upon Scripture and I understand that. Which is part of the problem of having a grid to begin with.
God flatly promises that none of his chosen beloved children will perish; he wills it not.
The twisting continues. You somehow try to apply this verse not only to predestination but to Eternal Security. A valiant effort to be sure, but if someone ceases to be a saint, they will surely perish. In the end, the verse says neither of the things you wish it said.
It addresses the point by demonstrating that the tautological nature of the verse does not make it trivial and trite. The tautology emphasizes God’s preservation of the saints, a source of great comfort.
…if someone ceases to be a saint, they will surely perish
True. And if a cat ceases to be a cat, it will no longer be a cat. Cats, however, don’t worry that they’ll be dogs some day. Saints on the other hand, do sometimes worry about their status as saints. But God in this verse councils the saints to be patient, he will preserve them, saints will always be saints, they will not perish. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise.