I certainly do not believe in Salvation by works. Such is contrary to scripture, yet I do oppose OSAS for the same reasons. I have no desire to exchange insults but throughout you accuse me of eisegesis and yet in your responses I see nothing other than this. Best agree to disagree.
This being the case and getting back to Hebrews 6:4-6 I believe Paul is addressing genuine ‘saved’ Christians by your very definition.
I just deleted by mistake a long post, that was about finished. I am 71, and have had 7 stroke, and I hit the wrong key. Sometimes I think they do not make anything USER FRIENDLY for Senior Citizens.
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Let me give you my Take on OSAS, which is absolute TRUTH, which I think you have the WRONG idea about what it all is about, and at the End I will Explain Hebrews 6:4-6, which you may have misunderstood too.
There are Two types of Christian Disciples:
1. Born Again Christian Disciples = SAVED and sure of it.
2. Non-Born Again Christian Disciples = UNSAVED yet or Never will be.
Here is a VERSE that will explain the Non-Born Again that is the dominant type of Christian Disciple, Jesus said:
John 3:7 (HCSB)
7
Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be Born Again.
SAVED Disciples are only those who are TRULY Born Again, and they will NEVER FALL AWAY because HE IS THE ONE THAT HOLDS ON TO OUR SALVATION.
That is You must by the Power of the Holy Spirit, have received (Surrendered To) HIM as LORD, meaning your personal MASTER in your Human Spirit, and have Confessed HIM before others as your Personal LORD. SALVATION only comes
after THAT, and that is NOT an example of WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS, because it says in
1 Cor. 12:3 that can confess like that,
JESUS IS LORD by the Power of the HOLY SPIRIT, and mean it with your whole being, especially the HUMAN SPIRIT; IS
SAVED. Mouthing the words is of no value to you, unless you mean it not with your all your Mind, BUT WITH all your HUMAN SPIRIT.
The whole world wants a SAVIOR, but very Few want a LORD to rule over your Human Spirit. They want to remain in control of that TOO. That is the FAITH of DEMONS, who believe with only their intellect. It is WITH THE HEART you genuinely have FAITH, and not with what lies between your ears.
Romans 10:9-11 (HCSB)
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If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” {not just profess it} and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10
One believes with the heart (Human Spirit), resulting in righteousness,
and
one confesses with the mouth,
resulting in Salvation.
11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone
who believes on Him {with that kind of FAITH} will not be put to shame,
That is Born Again, the Holy Spirit births our Human Spirit, and HE changes it to a Human Spirit inclined to please our MASTER.
1. Born Again Christian Disciples = SAVED and sure of it.
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Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV)
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,
who have tasted the heavenly gift,
who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
(We are those have consumed the heavenly gift, not just TASTED. We are those who have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not just shared in the Holy Spirit.)
5
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and
the powers of the coming age,
(We are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness, not just tasted of the goodness of the word. We are the ones who look forward to the REALITY of Rapture HIS BRIDE and the MILLENNIAL KINGDOM and our Jobs, not just do not care what it is about.
6
if they fall away (2. Non-Born Again Christian Disciples = UNSAVED yet or Never will be.),
to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again
and subjecting him to public disgrace.
How Do We KNOW ? ? ?
Ephesians 6:24 (HCSB)
24
Grace be with all who have undying {agape} love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 10:27-28 (HCSB)
27
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.
28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever!
No one will snatch them out of My hand.
2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB)
9
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began.
Titus 3:5-7 (HCSB)
5
He saved us—
not by works of righteousness that we had done, but
according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6
He poured out this ⌊Spirit⌋ on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that
having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
Revelation 3:19-20 (HCSB)
19
As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. {No discipline means you are not one of HIS Children.} So be committed and repent.
20
Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
And do you know the Greatest Part of KNOWING HIM ? ? ?
We absolutely KNOW the Holy Spirit is IN US, and so is the Mind of CHRIST. NO DOUBT whatsoever!
And Obedience comes from the AGAPE LOVE HE POURED INTO OUR HEARTS,
Rom. 5:5. Yes we Love to do what Pleases HIM.