Maybe 'we' need to step back and remember
that ultimately it is not 'Johns' word, but Gods' Word,
and He knows who would read it.
Sometimes the 'we' is John and his fellow eyewitnesses,
sometimes it's the 'we' who were being talked to at the time,
believers or not, sometimes it's the 'we' who are reading it today.
Though it's good to search the deep things of God,
and iron sharpens iron, we do well to do it through
Encouraging each other and building each other up in the faith,
and I wonder if after all this time spent on this thread,
if God isn't just a little bit 'smacking His OWN head'
seeing His sons and daughters arguing and separating
each other over the main thing He gave us all to unite in,
and that is His love, by His grace,
in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
So many are hurting, within and without the Body of Christ.
(And I am one of them, no one even knows how much).
How can any of us give or receive the help that's needed
if we spend so much time arguing over the grace of God?
I'm sorry if I'm out of line.
If 'we' are accepting each other in love
as brothers and sisters in Christ, then I'm sorry for interrupting.
For what it's worth, I believe Jesus saves us
because of His love, not for any good thing that is in us.
Saved by His grace,
kept by His grace,
brought home by His grace.
'We' Thank you, our Father,
in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Carry on.