The miscommunication seems to stem from the concept of "losing Faith" or "falling away"
What does that really mean and do we share a common definition?
I am not being condescending as some have accused me, I am just speaking basic because that is how I think.
We have to determine what we agree upon to be able to clarify what we don't agree about.
I believe we both agree that a saving faith is needed for salvation, right?
Yes. Faith is needed for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8
When you use the term "saving faith" is makes me wonder what you mean.
Isn't all faith saving faith?
If we stick to biblical wording, we won't need to find out what the other person means.
So God is so good and His grace so abundant that He made a way for us to be saved from our fallen nature from the beginning of the world, or before the beginning...
So, If faith is needed to be saved, how is one STILL SAVED if he falls away from the faith?
Fall away from means to leave, to abandon.
fall away
1. Also, fall off. Withdraw one's friendship, support, or allegiance. For example, After the divorce, her friends slowly fell away. [Early 1500s]
2. Also, fall off. Gradually decline in size or strength, as in The breeze slowly fell away, or, as Shakespeare put it ( King Lear, 1:2): "Love cools, friendship falls off, Brothers divide." [Early 1500s]
3. Drift from an established faith, cause, or principles. For example, I fell away from the Catholic Church when I was a teenager.
Some here question if it's possible for one to fall away.
How could it be questioned when the N.T. uses those precise words?
Hebrews 6:4-6 "if the FALL AWAY"...
1 Timothy 4:1 "departing from the faith"...
Hebrews 3:12:19
James 1:12 is very interesting. it says that the Lord will promise the Crown to them that LOVE HIM.
If you notice every word having to do with faitha and salvation is Always in the present tense. Some here want to say that we believe and have faith ONE TIME that continues into the future, but this is not supported by scripture.
If we believe and have faith and love God when we die, He wll reward us. Not because we believed years before and then FELL AWAY from the faith.
If one falls away and has not more faith, how could that person still be saved?
Faith brings to salvation.
No Faith..... no salvation
(falling away is not sinning. I'm sure you see the difference)