What you (or if not you the OSAS folks) seem to be arguing is that there are no people who exist who are completely convinced that they have accepted the gift who, in fact, have not.
Does scripture indicate that there are such (who would seem to suffering from spiritual insanity) ?
Have you been to earth?
What you are suggesting is the simplest form of easy-believerism. Anyone who at any time made a "decision" to get "saved" is always and forever saved? Is that what you are saying?
People make what seem at the time to be sincere committments, but faith falters and people fall into sin.
I don't need a book to tell me that. I have eyes.
You're not OSAS anyway, so why are you arguing this way?
SD
Quester - Does scripture indicate that there are such (who would seem to suffering from spiritual insanity) ?
JH
Q--Does scripture indicate that there are such (who would seem to suffering from spiritual insanity) ?
Indeed yes.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
And, another thought, It might even come down to whether you feel you "have to" or whether you just want to.
Mat 21:28 But what think ye? A [certain] man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
Mat 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Mat 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go], sir: and went not.
Mat 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of [his] father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
What does this mean to you, ventana?
OK, if you insist.
Both are saved, they know their own father, after all. One believes he does not "have to" but works because he "wants to" the second knows he has to, but then forgets, and does not.
It's an odd one to be sure, but Jesus is saying it's the one who acknowledges the instruction not the one who is actually fruitful, who is obedient to the word.
In other words, the ones who are not works based are the ones working for reward, while the ones who are, ostensibly, works based, are rewarded for loyalty, not work.
Ironic, no?
v.