Hi there, it's interesting how one text says eternal life is irrevocable while other passages such as the parable of the Unmerciful Servant clearly demonstrate the contrary.
Instances such as these in Scripture usually result in the problem of Cognitive Dissonance and it is my experience that in the pursuit of a resolution, the mature Christian prioritizes truth-seeking over comfort, while the immature Christian does the opposite.
The search for truth leads us to the only explanation that we can find: "Conditional Salvation" - which says the promises of God, including the irrevocable gift of eternal life, can be claimed only by the exercise of living faith through the indwelling power of an enthroned Savior.
The OSAS Christian, having prioritized comfort over truth-seeking, employs the only neurological coping mechanism left to his disposal that can restore cognitive harmony: cast out the uncomfortable New Truth for the peaceful familiarity of the Old Truth...and that is how the OSAS crowd manages to either deliberately misinterpret the plain meaning of these aforementioned contrary passages or just pretend they don't exist altogether.
No we are NOT the ones Misinterpreting. You are misinterpreting Scripture.
John 3:3-7 (NIV)
3 In reply Jesus declared,
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5 Jesus answered,
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
6
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7
You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
I am trying to be Patient with you, but You need to read my posts thoroughly, not just skim of over it.
The ABSOLUTELY Essential Experience,
MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU, is BORN AGAIN by the HOLY SPIRIT.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (NIV)
12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand
what God has freely given us.
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit,
expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
You can have both Born Again Servants and Non-Born Again servants.
The Same is true with disciples, which only mean Follower.
There are Born Again Disciples and Non-Born Again disciples.
It all depends on whether or not YOU ARE ACTUALLY Born Again.
Non-Born Again servants or disciples NEVER MAKE IT TO HEAVEN.
John 6:66 (NIV)
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
These disciples NEVER were born again.
In case you are from a Church that does not Teach Born Again, I will explain.
We know that Jesus said that being Born Again is an absolute necessity, to enter into heaven.
I used to belong to an old fashioned LUTHERAN CHURCH, that used to say to teach Born Again is WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
NOT IN THE LEAST, because it CLEARLY says it is a major Function of the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NASB)
5 for
our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and
in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
17 The
sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
9 That if
you confess {it has to happen in your HEART FIRST, also means Human Spirit First, a willing surrender to HIM as YOUR LORD, meaning Master, out of AGAPE LOVE,} with your mouth,
"Jesus is Lord," and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (HCSB)
3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and
no one can say [as a CONFESSION], “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
That is how GOD SAYS we are to COME TO HIM, and RECEIVE the SON as LORD and MASTER, out of pure
Agape LOVE.
John 1:12 (ESV)
12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
YES, that is the way I came, I, for almost two hours, cried over wave, after wave of extreme guilt,
before I surrendered to JESUS out of Agape Love, receiving HIM as my LORD and Master.