If there is nothing we can do to gain salvation, how is it attained? I'm assuming your answer with be via the grace of God - and I'd agree. I never once claimed you can earn salvation. Now let me ask you a question - does God force salvation on us, does He only offer it to some of us, or is salvation available to anyone who accepts it?
Right, only to those who accept his gift. You are making an excellent point, but here's where I think we differ. The acceptance is what is required. Not a show of the acceptance, eventhough we all do in our own way. What I think with people as yourself is you have a hard time accepting the premise God's contact of unconditionality. When God say's, you will never perish there is not condition for that. When God says, no one can snatch you out of my hand there is no condition for that. When God says, you are an inherited child there is no condition for that.
The strangest thing many Christians have a hard time grasping when they backslide is not how they are going to live without God in a personal relationship, but how are they going to live WITH him? Why, because...
HE will not let you go!!!!