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You have received the first fruits of your salvation in the Spirit. Even NOW, we are being transformed, saved from the slavery of sin. That is the sign of things to come, if we persevere.

Post-salvation sanctification vs. salvation as process. Could you tell me how you distinguish salvation and sanctification?

Where does Paul say that they are immune from returning to that style of life?

I associate myself with BD's most learned response. :)

It would be pointless to address this verse to people who were not in ANY danger of returning to that life. Peter EXPLICITLY DOES say that.

It is righteous to preach against backsliding. That is a danger every Christian faces. It is a much more subtle point whether the backsliding can be permanent or not. Paul appears to think it cannot be permanent.

Paul addresses Christians and reminds them that they can return to their former life and lose their inheritance. Isn't that what Paul had been saying in the previous few chapters, such as in 1 Cor 3 and leading up to 1 Cor 6?

OK, I'll bite. Where does he say that? BD already showed that Paul said that can't happen.

Post-salvation sanctification vs. salvation as process. Could you tell me how you distinguish salvation and sanctification? I don't really distinguish the process of being saved from the process of being sanctified. While there certainly is an "initial point of justification" or "salvation", that is only the beginning of "being saved". We are being saved when we are being sanctified.

I wrote: Where does Paul say that they are immune from returning to that style of life?

I associate myself with BD's most learned response. :)

His response ASSUMES that a person will CONTINUE in Christ. Must I repeat 1 John 5:12 again? Ephesians 2 is presuming that the Christian will continue - and will be saved in the end. It doesn't say that one CANNOT fall away, that is jumping to conclusions.

It is righteous to preach against backsliding.

Why? You are "already" going to heaven, no matter what you do. God has "already ordained it", so no matter what you do, good or bad, you are going to heaven... Yes, I know, it is a twisted theology, but that is the essence of it.

OK, I'll bite. Where does he say that? BD already showed that Paul said that can't happen

I disagree with BD's explanation.

Paul is dressing down the Corinthians who are causing dissension. He ends with them in 1 Cor 3:17, as we have previously discussed. He then continues all the way up to 1 Cor 6, again addressing Christians. Paul is not writing to pagans, friend, but to Christians who need some help. Perhaps you should sit back and read the first 6 chapters of 1 Cor.

Regards