You are not reading my post very carefully since you are reponding with scriptures that are explained away by those that I have included. The parable of the sower shows that the fourth person bears fruit with patience…now what did you say about the person in John 15??? They did not bear fruit with patience did they. Therefore…they were not born of God…
As far as working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, this has to do with assurance of salvation and not “once saved always saved”. My posting very clearly indicates that once saved always saved…All you have to do is read this one…
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Are you born of God??? If you are you will persevere. This is what gets me about Catholic Teaching about being born again at baptism…this cannot be the case. If everyone is born again at baptism, then they would all persevere in the faith - but they clearly do not and it makes a mockery of this statement in scripture which clearly indicates that if you are born again, you will have an overcoming faith.
Assurance of salvation is another thing…BUT…we have a helper in 1st John which tells us…
1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. {is born: or, has been born}
1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. {is born: Gr. has been born}
1Jo 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. {is born: Gr. has been born}
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jo 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Ga 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Then it says:
1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Working out your own salvation can be put right alongside these…
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Assurance is what God wants us to have and we can have it. AND - once saved always saved. He that hath ears to hear let him hear.