Not By Works

[Fastfredy0]

Man, did you mess that definition up.

Well, it was meant to be a definition of Calvinism but I can see where you thought that. It was meant to demonstrate the advantage of having a organized system of thought as opposed to no organization. It was a defense of that thought.

Definition of Calvinism:
Well, I suppose "The Institutes of Religion" describe the man's theology best.

goto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism for definition

Probably best represented/evolved now by Westminster Confession or London Confession

So 5 Point Calvinist

This is probably the quick and dirty definitions.

3 of 5 points .. what 2 do you got wrong... lol, j/k ... ... after a while, they all depend on each other IMO

 

[biker]

Every Born Again Christian, because the Holy Spirit brings Deep CONVICTION, and the NATURE of our HUMAN SPIRIT is to CONFESS ALL SIN.

If you have NEVER FELT DEEP CONVICTION from the HOLY SPIRIT, and you truly are Born Again, Your Day is Coming.

AMEN!

 

[preacher4truth]

It is exactly what you said. Now, 'I may have interpreted what you said incorrectly' or 'you may not meant to say what you wrote, but it is a direct quote'.



Why are you accusing me of lying again. It is a direct quote. You said it, that is what quote means. This is the second time you have accused me of lying. Did you ever think it might be just a mistake on my part .... or a mistake on your part?

Hey, I think you are a well meaning guy, but words have meaning ... stop the false accusations against me for lying. I don't think you mean to say these things out of malice ... I think you are unable to articulate your thoughts at times and this causes confusion and that is exasperated by inferring people are lying.

... ANYWAYS, if I made an incorrect statement about something which I admit I do though I try not to, feel free to state your opinion ... but stop inferring I am purposely being untruthful.


Again, you take things too personal. People who disagree with you are lying or being disingenuous. Perhaps the problem is you say "A" and mean "B" and when someone reads your post and sees "A" and talks about "A" you think they are lying because you thought you were talking about "B". Or perhaps you posted about "A" and the person misinterpreted and thought you meant "B" and responds to "B". Hey, mistakes happen. Stop thinking the worst of people and assume they are lying. I assume you would never intentionally lie (I could be wrong, others don't agree) ... but I giving you the benefit of the doubt.

Aside: Most of my post was not directed to you ... I just used it as a jumping off point to discuss issues of "those who believe God elected them because they chose God". To tell you the truth, I am not sure where you stand as your posts have been confusing and I tired of trying to make sense of them.
Aside: Again, I think you are a good guy ... I apologize to a degree for this tough post ... but being accused of dishonestly rattled my cage.

Re:
Eternally-gratefull said:
God said I will go and pay for sin, and these people who will come to faith and ask me to save them, I chose or elect to save.

I am looking at this quote again to see if I made some sort of comprehension mistake.

Hmmmmm...
I am almost certain you believe God died for everyone (note: if this is incorrect don't accuse me of lying, this is my best guess and you can correct me if I am wrong)
Hmmm ... God won't die for everyone ... oh, I give up .... your previous posts on the subject left me scratching my head so I won't be able to unscramble it now ... I apologize for accidentally saying something that you think was a lie even though I have no clue what you are talking about ... I will assume you don't just throw out the word 'liar' casually or in anger

Sorry about this bro, but even if you direct quote the guy he'll say you're lying. He's done this for years on this site. This is why I said he is irrational.

He wants you to stop being like those who consistently lie about others? Hmmmm. OK, sounds like a good thing not to do, but sad to say that would apparently be himself. I see you're becoming acquainted with him. My hope was he would own his calling me a liar once I showed he teaches exactly what I said. But no, he is unappeasable, 2 Timothy 3:3?

Yes @eternally-gratefull believes and teaches Christ died for everyone's sins, even those who are in hell.

I hope you stay around here brother, the thing is since you're studied, logical, rational, sound, if you disagree with him or hold him to what he plainly teaches you'll become a victim of his vitriol. It goes well for a time with him but always ends with him doing this and calling others slanderers, liars &c once you disagree with him or show his errors biblically.

Just keep posting sound teaching.

 

[biker]

Also the LORD DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN. If you do not feel like you are being disciplined, they I think you are not Born Again, because he does not discipline the children that are not HIS own, and have been deceived by the devil.

Hebrews 12:5-13 (NRSV)
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— "My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him;
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts."
7 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline?
8 If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children.
9 Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness.
11 Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Now wait a MINUTE, some YAHOO claimed Hebrews is nothing but the LAW. What you have provided has NOTHING to do with the LAW!

 

[biker]

Perhaps he was in Abraham’s bosom. Two parts of hell. Wicked and bosom. Jesus released them and took them to heaven..

Yes, I was not actually saying Solomon is with Satan, I was using the Hebraic term, which in English is the word HELL, for the Grave our body is buried in

 

[VCO]

Now wait a MINUTE, some YAHOO claimed Hebrews is nothing but the LAW. What you have provided has NOTHING to do with the LAW!

Then the YAHOO is Confused or Deceived.

 

[EleventhHour]

I don’t twist scripture. I believe it. OSAS twists it.

I challenge the theology. Your side insults the member personally. Big difference.

You guys demonstrate the fruit of your “going to heaven regardless of anything” theology each time.

These words stand on their own......

...... irrevocable, gift, saved, justified, everlasting life, redeemed,, adopted, promise, preserved, positional sanctification, union, hid,

purchased, innocent, imputed righteousness, cleansed, born from above, never perish, held, new creation, regenerated.... SEALED

Think again on who has to distort.

1 Peter 1:5: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Salvation is salvation

 

[biker]

I did my research on Hebrews 10:26 and it’s important that we properly harmonize Scripture with Scripture before reaching our conclusion on doctrine. See post #19 from the link below.

https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/that-hebrews-10v26-thread.189675/

Hebrews 10

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
>Willfully living and continuing in sin is seen as adversarial to God. He calls you an adversary. One who fights against him? How do you fight against Him. Well if He has given you the Holy Spirit who is to lead you into all truth, the Spirit of Grace who is to convict you of sin and righteousness. Now you resist the Holy Spirit (who is in you). You set your face against Him, against His commands, against his leadings.

28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
>Here we have a contrasting passage. The writer will contrast the law under Moses against that of the New Covenant. What he is saying is this: If such a transgression under the old law received "X" punishment, then how much more serious is transgression under the new covenant..

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
>For someone to come to Christ, to understand the gravity of who they were in their old man, to fall at the feet of the King of Mercy, plead their case and receive such love when the Lord says "You are forgiven". To feel such elation the first time you feel that quickening and excitement when the Spirit uses you for His purposes. Then for the tempter to come back with His old tricks. For you to dip your toes into those waters again. To hear the voice of the Spirit saying "No my child, that is not for you". To bounce around in and out of sin and repentance (washing machine), each time the sin lasting longer, and each time the repentance being a little shorter, till you no longer are just tipping your toe into the pond, but you are diving headlong into it. No longer hearing God. No longer feeling any pangs of guilt or shame in what you are doing. You have trampled the Son of God underfoot. You have counted the blood of the covenant by which you were sanctified a common thing. You have insulted the Spirit of Grace. By now you have committed the unforgiveable sin.






Let's examine this:
Verse 26/27
From the person you have given for Reference:
>Willfully living and continuing in sin is seen as adversarial to God. He calls you an adversary. One who fights against him? How do you fight against Him. Well if He has given you the Holy Spirit who is to lead you into all truth, the Spirit of Grace who is to convict you of sin and righteousness. Now you resist the Holy Spirit (who is in you). You set your face against Him, against His commands, against his leadings.

^
As you can plainly see, he does not mention anything of the LAW, but he mentions general SIN!




Verse 28
From the person you have given for Reference:
>Here we have a contrasting passage. The writer will contrast the law under Moses against that of the New Covenant. What he is saying is this: If such a transgression under the old law received "X" punishment, then how much more serious is transgression under the new covenant..

^
Your Reference is comparing Law to Covenant!





verse 29
From the person you have given for Reference:
>For someone to come to Christ, to understand the gravity of who they were in their old man, to fall at the feet of the King of Mercy, plead their case and receive such love when the Lord says "You are forgiven". To feel such elation the first time you feel that quickening and excitement when the Spirit uses you for His purposes. Then for the tempter to come back with His old tricks. For you to dip your toes into those waters again. To hear the voice of the Spirit saying "No my child, that is not for you". To bounce around in and out of sin and repentance (washing machine), each time the sin lasting longer, and each time the repentance being a little shorter, till you no longer are just tipping your toe into the pond, but you are diving headlong into it. No longer hearing God. No longer feeling any pangs of guilt or shame in what you are doing. You have trampled the Son of God underfoot. You have counted the blood of the covenant by which you were sanctified a common thing. You have insulted the Spirit of Grace. By now you have committed the unforgiveable sin.

^
Here your Reference claims going back to SIN (the Law is not SIN) which is why your Reference does not make a connection to the LAW anywhere in this explanation.





Your Reference has made the SAME distinction that I have. This is about SIN, not about the LAW as EG tried to claim.

What I do not understand here, You, agree with what Your Reference has claimed. He has said in a general way the same thing I DID in a shorter version. How is it Your Reference is correct and I am wrong?

Or, do you just do what EG does because you're a follower and a puppet?

 

[biker]

Then the YAHOO is Confused or Deceived.

AMEN!

 

[mailmandan]

What I do not understand here, You, agree with what Your Reference has claimed. He has said in a general way the same thing I DID in a shorter version. How is it Your Reference is correct and I am wrong?

Or, do you just do what EG does because you're a follower and a puppet?

As you can see in post #19 from my link, I interpreted Hebrews 10:26 in context and properly harmonized Scripture with Scripture before reaching my conclusion on doctrine. How does that make me a follower or a puppet?

 

[EleventhHour]

Calvinism is the organization of God's word. A Systematic organization, though not perfect far exceeds an unorganized system.

Man is fallible, Calvin is fallible ... yet God gave us teachers for a reason. The wisdom of many is superior to the wisdom of the one.

The wisdom of trained scholars, though fallible, is superior the the wisdom of the lesser trained one.

We don't know follow Calvin, we try to follow God and one tool to do that is an organized, systematized, well thought out, peer reviewed method.

Tell us of your method of understanding God and how it is superior to the ideas I conveyed.

Aside: I repeat, all systems of understanding are flawed; but no system of understanding must be more flawed and inferior.

2 Peter 1:20 But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation,
Psalm 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

And if you believe Calvin' s system is well thought out system than you also believe that of Augustine system is a well.

"Augustine is so wholly within me, that if I wished to write a confession of my faith, I could do so with all fullness and satisfaction to myself out of his writings." (Calvin)
Link

I have learned to trust the teachings of people I have person to person contact with,... trained in the word.

What you have is a schema that you fit scripture into, much like NOSAS....... I have many things I cannot answer and I prefer that, rather than a faulty system.

 

[biker]

As you can see in post #19 from my link, I interpreted Hebrews 10:26 in context and properly harmonized Scripture with Scripture before reaching my conclusion on doctrine. How does that make me a follower or a puppet?

I do see. My Bad and I am happy to be wrong here!

EG agreed to your posts towards me. I guess he assumed you were thinking Chapter 10 was about the Law as he did.

 

[biker]

So, you are not OSAS?

 

[PennEd]

Sorry about this bro, but even if you direct quote the guy he'll say you're lying. He's done this for years on this site. This is why I said he is irrational.

He wants you to stop being like those who consistently lie about others? Hmmmm. OK, sounds like a good thing not to do, but sad to say that would apparently be himself. I see you're becoming acquainted with him. My hope was he would own his calling me a liar once I showed he teaches exactly what I said. But no, he is unappeasable, 2 Timothy 3:3?

Yes @eternally-gratefull believes and teaches Christ died for everyone's sins, even those who are in hell.

I hope you stay around here brother, the thing is since you're studied, logical, rational, sound, if you disagree with him or hold him to what he plainly teaches you'll become a victim of his vitriol. It goes well for a time with him but always ends with him doing this and calling others slanderers, liars &c once you disagree with him or show his errors biblically.

Just keep posting sound teaching.

My sister in Florida attends RC Sprouls Church. He died a couple of years ago. I think you would agree he was as Calvinistic as you can get. He said if 1 John 2:2 means what it explicitly says, than he and other Calvinists are wrong about limited atonement.

1 John 2:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

[preacher4truth]

My sister in Florida attends RC Sprouls Church. He died a couple of years ago. I think you would agree he was as Calvinistic as you can get. He said if 1 John 2:2 means what it explicitly says, than he and other Calvinists are wrong about limited atonement.

1 John 2:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

OK, but that is not all he said on that verse nor did it end there. And that short excerpt doesn't give the context of what he was getting at or what he believed, nor what the passage means. With all due respect leaving it at that is a bit of a misrepresentation. I listen to him daily by the way.

 

[VCO]

So, you are not OSAS?

Who are you talking to ? ? ?

 

[biker]

Who are you talking to ? ? ?

mailman

 

[Fastfredy0]

if you disagree with him or hold him to what he plainly teaches you'll become a victim of his vitriol. It goes well for a time with him but always ends with him doing this and calling others slanderers, liars &c once you disagree with him or show his errors biblically.

Yeah, the benefit of the doubt is almost over. EG called me (or at least insinuated the 2nd time) a liar twice now.

Aside: Callow people make derogatory statements about the person rather than the idea. (Note: this is a general comment and not at this time about an specific person)

 

[DorothyMae]

IN MY OPINION, YET ANOTHER BOLD FACE LIE Made Up by people on your side of the Fence, TOLD and RETOLD,
ABOUT ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED BELIEFS, without a lick of KNOWLEDGE about what We Truly BELIEVE.

Acts 20:29-31 (HCSB)
29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them.
31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.

OK VCO, here are a list of scriptures that prove what we Need to so.

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. [21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. [22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Remember this was written to Christians!

Romans 8:12-13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 11:20-22 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended...which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed (Continue in his word is not merely believe he is guaranteeing you Heaven.)

John 8:34-35 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin(not a son). [35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

John 14:21-23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. [22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? [23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (This specifies WHO God is willing to dwell in.)

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (Abiding is something only believers can do. IT is a state one Needs to continue in. This is not to unbelievers who never entered.)


1 Cor. 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.



Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.


Philip. 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

1 Thes. 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

1 Tim. 1:5-6 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: [6] From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling...

1 Tim. 1:18-20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; [19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: [20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1 im. 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Tim. 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.


Now I need to ask you why you are concerned at all about deviant doctrines as you call those who do not hold to OSAS when all who believe are going to heaven anyway and that is your focus, is it not? What difference does it make since you believe that faith in Christ is all that is important? Or do you believe that faith in OSAS is vital and if one does not believe OSAS then one is not going to Heaven even if their sins were forgiven by the blood of Christ?

Why do you OSASers fight so hard to defend your position if you believe we are all going to Heaven anyway no matter what we do or believe? We fight OSAS because we believe it is a false doctrine that lulls the believer into neglecting his salvation and endangering it. OUr motive is clear. We believe a Christian can lose what he was given. You don't believe NOSAS cannot miss Heaven no matter what so what is the motivation on your side?

 

[DorothyMae]

Now I will Reply to These verses as much as I have time for now.

IN MY OPINION, YET ANOTHER BOLD FACE LIE Made Up by people on your side of the Fence, TOLD and RETOLD,
ABOUT ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED BELIEFS, without a lick of KNOWLEDGE about what We Truly BELIEVE.

Here is my PROOF:


John 10:27-28 (HCSB)
27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.

You Forget the scriptures where the sheep left the flock and Jesus did not go after them. The 70, Judas, the Father of the prodigal did not go after them.

John 10:29-30 (NASB)
29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30 "I and the Father are one."

IF you choose to leave He will let you leave. No one outside of your own heart can remove you from the father's hand. But your own choice can certainly do so. This is called neglecting or shipwreaking your faith.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (HCSB)
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

His power does override your free will to choose. If your free will were protected (controlled) by God's power we would see no more sin in his people at all. They would be like those in heaven, sinless. We are not and so He id not protecting us from ourselves.

2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB)
9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Does not mean we cannot leave. HE even says that God works all Things to good for those who meet the conditions. There are condition.

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 that HE is the MASTER of my LIFE], “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

So you believe that all one Needs to do is say those "magic" words? I think you do not understand what the author meant.

Romans 8:27-30 (HCSB)
27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

The goal is that we be like his son. Notice no one here says the goal is heaven no matter how we live. Predestined to be like Jesus, not predestined to go to Heaven.

Ephesians 6:24 (HCSB)
24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

IF your love dies that it is no longer undying. We Need to "return to our first love" at times as his power is not keeping us loving Him.

2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)
19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

HOw can you not see the requriements written in the scripture you Quote? We must depart from iniquity. How can you not see that and you quoted it.

Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)
6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Unless YOU DECIDE to turn back.

SALVATION is of the Human Spirit, John 3:6, as you are Born Again, and you receive it the moment you truly believe.
SANCTIFICATION happens over a lifetime, as the Holy Spirit teaches us to Walk like Jesus, and we will not be PERFECT until the Resurrection.
1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:6

Romans 11:6 (NASB)
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Grace is not so you get to go to heaven no matter how you live. It is so that we depart from sin in our lives. No one in the bible separated salvation from sanctification. This is necessary for those who want to make sanctification an optional extra.

Romans 5:8-11 (HCSB)
8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!
9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.
10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, ⌊then how⌋ much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NJB)
8 Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God;
9 not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit.

Gifts can be lost. Happens all the time. We can look at Bible characters who lost the gifts God gave them because of choices to disobey.

Romans 11:29 (HCSB)
29 since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.

Many are called receiving the calling and yet they are not among the Chosen. SO they received the calling and it was not fruitful because they did not obey.

God does not have to let those who loved their sin all their lives into HIs house because of a committment they made and later neglected.