"Lean not on your understanding but trust in the Lord."
We agree that we are not saved by our understanding of the Word.
This would imply that with or without correct understanding we can be saved.
"For we are saved if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end."
"I don't consider myself to have attained but one thing I do: forgetting what is behind I press on."
Going on to perfection is about attaining to the Resurrection; doesn't mean that those who don't are not saved but that they lose their reward: have no part in the first resurrection.
We are saved by loosing our life in Christ: only by the end of Paul's life he said, "I have fought a good fight I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, and not for me only but for all those who Love His appearing."
These rule with Christ for a thousand years, "The rest of the dead are not raised until the thousand years are fulfilled."
Few enter in at the straight Gate in the narrow Way: in fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, to lose affections after the flesh.
"Some were tortured not accepting deliverance that they may obtain a better Resurrection.
Salvation of the person who builds with wood: affection in this life like first love for His wife rather than for the Lord, "some men's work shall be burned and he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved yet as through fire." The person who builds with Gold and has part in the first resurrection, is also by the Grace of God. Going on to perfection is not by works: only understood this in my interaction here recently in the last few month.
For the longest time I though that going on to perfection was works.
What changed is realising I'm powerless: Even Jesus said, "I can do nothing of myself, except what I see the Father doing."
"You shall have power after the Holy Spirit is come on you and you shall be My witnesses: Implies we see Him work in us and through us." Implies we Seek first the Kingdom of God...
