Hi, OldProf, …
Don’t stop there - we need to keep on going. Those who claim that they are saved simply because of the Grace of God - being the ‘Elect’ and that took care of it all - have misunderstood the entire message of salvation! (Oh, and by the way, too bad for those damned souls who are not convinced that they are the ‘Elect’!) This is no minor error - but one where we will be called to task for this presumption. If we are to comply with Christ’s directives we must love God and our neighbor. This means keeping the commands Christ has given to us and doing the Works of Mercy towards our neighbor. And, we do this with the full Faith and knowledge that we really do have Free Will and we have it within our wounded selves to reject God and His Grace and fail to persevere to the end - as Christ tells us to do. (Matt 24:13) These are NOT the words of comfort that one who is claiming to the numbered amongst the ‘Elect’ would gladly embrace. Actually Matt 24 simply stands ‘AoS’ on its head, and identifies it for the fraud it is.
Of course you are familiar with James 2:24 - where he tells us that Faith without works is dead. James is not criticizing Faith - he is telling those who think this is enough that they are sadly mistaken.
And finally, since you like St, Paul - let’s move to 1Cor 9:27 - where this great saint is concerned about freely failing to continue with God’s Grace - and becoming a castaway. Hardly the Scriptures that you have used to bolster this ‘AoS’ tradition of men (namely Calvin and those who followed after this man).
Now, it you really want to do something - stop addressing what others have said are inadequate, incomplete or misapplied Scriptures - and address what I have presented to you. Here is the heart of the argument - please if you want to know what is going on - just address it and we can see what develops.
God bless
Tom, you missed a few points in your first paragraph above. Did I claim what you’re saying? Certainly not. When you asked me why I thought I was one of the elect I answered in post #626 on 31 Oct 12. I gave two verses, 2 Cor 5:17 and 1 John 5:13, and then referenced Evidence Lists 1 and 2 (they were re-posted at #555 on 17 Oct 12). That is actually a pretty thorough response that shows I’m not just “saved simply because of the Grace of God - being the ‘Elect’ and that took care of it all” as you so flippantly indicate. No, the evidence is a radically changed personal life, a love for God, a desire to grow in the faith by knowing God, obedience, and perseverence. Really, did you actually miss all of that in my response?? I think you need to be more careful about looking at what I say.
Of course I completely agree with James 2:24 - if a “Christian” has no fruits, then there is no true faith - that person is still spiritually dead. Next is 1 Cor 9:27. Here is your proof text that even the mighty Paul is very concerned about losing his faith - his salvation. But that is not the context. If you read 1 Corithians chapters 9 and 10, you get the contextual picture. I’m a stickler on context, as are all systematic theology proponents. Let’s briefly look:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:24-27)
We don’t see Paul using “prize” as a metaphor for salvation. He uses “gift” like in “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23) A prize is a reward. Does Paul discuss rewards and loss of rewards? Yes, he surely does:
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor 3:15)
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Cor 15:10)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Cor 5:10)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13 this is a favorite Navigators College Ministry memory verse)
Paul, hard worker that he was, knows that God is with us and works in us in a sanctifying manner, which is why he says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) When the true believer sins, he/she can expect their “bad works” will result in loss, but not the loss of salvation. Why? Because we have an advocate in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! (see 1 John 2:1) Our Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
What a wonderful Savior! And I can certainly agree with Him when He says he knows His sheep and they will NEVER perish! (as per John 10)
God Bless, OldProf
You are quite correct about not seeing any support for ‘AoS’ in the Bible - and that is because none actually exists. This does not mean that there are not a lot of people who would like to see it there - but, they have to simply ignore all those other passages (like the references I gave from Matthew) that simply trash ‘AoS’ As I see it, this is the ultimate loss of faith - we now have assurance! 
