I had the exact same feelings as you my brother about those "ifs" and so I went to stuy it out and asking the Lord to show me what's up with these.
it turns out that in the original greek as in Col 1"23 that you mentioned here - it is viewed as a condition fulfilled.
..here is what I found that helped me with this seemingly contradictory dilemma .
Greek scholar A.T. Robertson
If so be that ye continue in the faith ([FONT="Gentium" !important]ei ge epimenete tēi pistei[/FONT]). Condition of the first class (determined as fulfilled),
Word Pictures in the New Testament.
The same thing for things like..Col 3:1.."If you be raised up with Christ..."..it is not a conditional "IF"..it's a "since you have been raised up with Christ"
The james scriptures relate to judgment on this earth for deeds done...like sow to the flesh and reap to the flesh..example if I drink and drive..I may crash and be killed because of my stupidity....I don't see how they say the believer loses their salvation.
Romans 8:1 "There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
We are in Christ..there is no condemnation for believers as far as the Lord is concerned...remember the priest looks at the lamb for perfection..not the man who brings the lamb. Jesus is our perfect Lamb! The Father sees Him.
When we really see the gospel of grace. HIs life in us cause those dead leaves to drop off of us as His sap( life) runs out of us....producing His fruit in us. It's the whole abide in the vine thing..without Me you can do nothing...
We have a great salvation!
Sorry but you just showed who you trusted.
You started out good saying you went to the Lord, but then you side stepped and showed you actually believe what a suppesed Greek scholar said.
Colossians is not spoken in a past fulfilled tone. It clearly states a continuous action.
Even the true definition of believe is also a continuous action, not a one time act as so badly taught now days.
And no about James as he clearly is talking about eternal life, especially in chapter 5.
It says
soul will be saved, man can not destroy the soul. Only God can do this !!!
Romans 8:1 you are only giving part of that verse.
The second half was added on, but Paul states the same 3 more times in that chapter. That the no condemnation is only to those who walk by the Spirit.
To walk by the flesh Paul says those can not please God and are still enmity to God.
I would suggest you to do more study into the eternal security and osas doctrines, because I have by the Holy Spirit's guidance.
I know when and by who both doctrines were started. Neither was taught before the 4th century.