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I am doing a study on 2nd Peter and am having trouble answering a question. My question deals with 2 Peter 3:17, which is a warning from Peter. I understand the warning but my study question asks, “what does this show regarding once saved, always saved”. Can you help me understand?

First, thank you for your obedience to our Lord. May our Father bless you and yours, meeting all your needs abundantly and propsering you and yours with peace, health, and spiritual gifts abounding.

I am concerned with two passages from John’s letters. 1 John 5:16-18:

“If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.

He’s clearly speaking of a ‘brother’…someone in the faith. Then he talks about a sin that leads to death, which should not be prayed about, and a sin that doesn’t lead to death, which we should pray about. What is he referring to? And then there’s vs. 18 saying if we continue in sin, we don’t have God because if we are truly born of God, we don’t sin. This scares me. Badly!

And 2 John 1:8-9: “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

Here he speaks of guarding against not losing what we worked for. And then saying that if we run ahead and not continuing in the teaching of Christ we don’t have Christ. Please explain so I may have peace of mind concerning OSAS.

Your site is fascinating! First of all, I am a Hungarian girl, so, sorry for my bad English!

I have problem with the following verses: Matthew 6:14 says: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Also Luke 6:37-38. I have a serious struggle with forgiving from my heart. Don’t feelings matter at all? I want to forgive from my heart and asked God for help, but I feel condemned because of my wrong feelings toward the respective person. And this judging thing…I see what a grave sin judging is, but for me it’s like a bad thinking habit! I struggle with it too!

Luke 6:38 says: “…for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Does it mean God is less compassionate (or absolutely not compassionate) toward such people who struggle with that sin? I read something where the author said God hates double standards. I understand it but this all is frightening!

Moreover it looks like He insists that somebody with the above mentioned sins risk his salvation. He doesn’t declare it, but it felt like that’s what He’s insisting. I used to believe in OSAS but it’s startling. What do you think of it? Is God less compassionate to such people?

Finally: I read “Why can’t I stop sinning” and your answer shook me. You say guilty feelings are from Satan? I mean, when I feel condemned and that God frowns at me is that always from the Devil? And the Holy Spirit never condemns us? Thank you for your answers!