Quote Originally Posted by Raybob View Post
If "our free will" would rather please self, rather than pleasing Him, then we never really were a sheep to begin with, were we.
Hi, "Raybob". Where in Scripture is this? Take for instance the guy in James5:19-20 --- could he fall away from "where he never was", or be led back to "where he'd never been"?

Is a person God's SHEEP, before he believes? There are doctrines that say "yes" --- in spite of eph2 that says "we were formerly children of Hell even as the rest".

How can a "child-of-Hell-even-as-the-REST", be actually a "sheep-of-God"? Consider John10:9 --- if ANYONE ("tis") enters through Christ, he shall go in and out and find pasture. Is this not boldly stating, "shall become God's sheep"?
The simplest verse to solve the OSAS debate is John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"
Ahhh, but if "sheep" denotes belief, then what happens if one ceases to believe?

Consider Hebrews3 --- a warning not to harden our hearts, to be careful that SIN does not harden our hearts to unbelief that falls away from God! See the dynamic?

If "sheep" is one who believes, then one who ceases to believe, is no longer sheep.

Please consider two things:
1. 1Jn2:19 does not forbid that those who left may have BEEN saved, last year. They were unsaved WHEN they left.

2. 2Jn1:7-9 very plainly speaks to SAVED people, warning against deceivers, that they not go too far (or "go out from us"!!!) and cease to abide in Jesus' teachings so as to no LONGER have God!

3. 2Tim2:11-13 presents two positions --- if we died/endure then we shall reign with Him; (but) if we DENY Him and are faithless He will deny US (Matt10:33!) and we will NOT reign with Him, even though HE is faithful in spite of our faithlessness.
Quote Originally Posted by Gadget
Please consider two things:
Oops, that was THREE. Oh well, Dad always said "there are three kinds of people in this world --- those who can count, and those who cannot."
When temptation comes along, do we succumb or do we call on Him? If we succumb, then we are NOSAS.
But to whom are the warnings "NOT to succumb", written?

1Cor10:12-13, James1:14-16, Hebrews3:6-14, and more --- to whom are these written???