Even by Calvinist standards those "given to Christ" by the Father in John 6 is a highly qualified short-list of the "FEW" in Matt 7 that are drawn, and that see, and hear, and come to Christ, and believe and are raised up on the last day.
If we "choose" to limit the term "saved" to only those that persevere firm unto the end, and that is how we "define saved" so that it fits our tradition - then we can delete/ignore/downsize a lot of scripture that tells the saints that they must persevere firm unto the end because we can simply say "well - by definition that is what they do - no need to warn them about any sort of danger".
And yet the Word of God - chose a different solution by explicitly applying those warnings to "you who stand by your faith" Romans 11... and to those of whom God could say "I freely forgave you ALL that debt" Matt 18 and in Galatians "you began WELL".
How much Bible can you honestly set aside and still feel good about the solution that you claim is the one that fits the Bible the best?
in Christ,
Bob
