Our Relationship With God

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  

Jos 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;

We can choose Who to obey but we are then bound to that choice, although if God so chooses, we can permanently change our duty of obedience to Him (but not away from Him).

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

Rom 6:19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

Rom 6:20  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 

Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 

Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Whatever happened/is happening in the Spirit Realm clearly resulted in sin entering into our world with the resultant evil. "Sin" is actually an attitude not an act. The act is the result of the Sin. 

Mat_5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

makes this absolutely clear. This is why ALL sin is against God although the resulting acts are against God's creation - including humans.

Psa_51:4  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

When David made that confession he had just deliberatey committed adultery, tried to hide it and then arranged for the husband (Uriah, who had been one of his most loyal comrades in his time of trouble, one of his "Mighty Men") to be killed but David's sole concern is that his sin was against God alone. Thus, only God can forgive sin. Even the Scribes (the Jewish law experts) recognised this and were not contradicted by Jesus 

Mar 2:7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 

Mar 2:8  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 

Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 

Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 

God alone can forgive sin but the effect of the action arising from the sin can be against other people and that is what the scripture instructs us to forgive. 

Mat_6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat_6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mat_18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

When Jesus sent His disciples into the world to spread the Gospel he gave them a unique authority.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  

Joh 20:22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 

Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

This is similar to the commission given in Mat. 10. v 5 ....... and is reliant on the possession of (and by) the Holy Spirit, one of the gifts of whom is the discerning of spirits    Mat 10 v 5 ..... is not saying God delegates His authority to forgive. Rather, it is the gift of being able to recognise the presence of the Holy Spirit. I acknowledge that there is considerable passionate conflict of understanding over the Gifts of the Spirit and I have no right to impose my understanding on fellow Bible Believing Christians, but I emphasize that the sign of a true believer is not one of the Gifts of but the Fruit of the Spirit, which is clearly stated to be present in every true believer, whereas the Gifts of the Spirit are clearly distributed to individuals as the need arises. 

1Co 12:4  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

1Co 12:5  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 

1Co 12:6  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 

1Co 12:7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 

1Co 12:8  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 

1Co 12:9  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 

1Co 12:10  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Mat_7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Luk_6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Being a Bible Believing Christian does not guarantee you will not sin.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

But we always have the remedy

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

and we do have a risk limitation

Psa 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 

Psa 37:24  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Clearly there is a limit to what depth we can fall. The  presence of the Holy Spirit will ensure this.  Praise be to God!

But beware

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 

Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 

Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit. 

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:  Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 

The clear message here is that even a Born Again Christian may fall away from obedience to the Lord's leading to an extent that a renewing repentance becomes impossible for them (but not for God)

Mar 10:27  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 

with the result that their spiritual life remains stunted. I have seen the practical example of this resulting in a complete loss of peace and trust in God as a loving heavenly Father being replaced with an overwhelming pessimism. This results in a miserable, pessimistic, self reflecting attitude with only occasional spiritual response. Only direct intervention by God can change this and all a friend can do is keep praying and being available when required. Their eternal security is not lost.

1Co 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

We must take God seriously.  He IS  real. If we make a promise to God, we must keep it.

Num 30:2  If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth

Ecc 5:4  When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 

Ecc 5:5  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Num 30:2  If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.  

e.g  When I was struggling to ascertain if I should make contact with a Bible believing Christian lady I admired greatly, to see if we could renew an old friendship, my prayers did not provide any guidance. So, I took the opportunity to send a small birthday present and await the result. I received a thank you phone call (my heart leapt at the time) and I asked to meet for a coffee, which was agreed but no date fixed. However, part of the conversation necessitated in my e-mailing some information I had come across, which I did, but it needed 3 attempts. I heard nothing more so I promised God that I would make one more phone call and then leave it to the lady to follow up the matter. I got her answerphone and left a message. 10 months later I have received no response but I must not break my promise to God. I must leave it to Him, trusting that he does know what is best. I long to pick up the phone to see if any of my communications have been mislaid, but I dare not. I made a promise in faith to God. Even if I never hear from her again, I must keep that promise.  In the past, I have made too many mistakes by trying to force matters along.  God has His reasons.  Remember

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

and

Hab 2:3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry (delay), wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  (be late)

(The Hebrew text uses different words for "tarry" in this verse)

We are in this state solely by the grace of God.  He chose us while we were spiritually "dead".

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

We have absolutely no merit of our own  with which to deserve such a calling. We did not seek God. He first sought us and awakened our awareness of our sinful condition.

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

God's sovereignty over all is clearly and regularly expressed throughout the Bible.

1Ch 29:12  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 

 2Ch 20:6  And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?  

Psa 135:6  Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. 

Dan 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 

Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 

Isa 37:29  Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. 

Eze 38:3  And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 

Eze 38:4  And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: 

 Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?  

However, God has made provision for us to have a limited amount of freedom of choice but encourages us to seek his will before making our choice. In his benevolence He often arranges our circumstances in a manner which encourages us to direct our choices in a specific direction. He also can allow us to experience the folly of an inappropriate choice as part of our spiritual learning process.

Psa 106:15  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. 

We should constantly refer matters to the Holy Spirit asking for His guidance and, in doing so, must be absolutely sincere in our willingness to follow His guidance.

Note 

Exo 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 

The Old Testament uses 3 words transleted "jealous". Here, the meaning is not in any way malicious. It indicates a strongly protective attitude. God always responds to a believer's actions or responses in a way that is best for the believer.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

This does not mean that all things which happen are the best. God has given us the freedom of choice in many situations and we will often make mistakes.  We are not God's "Robots" but He does ensure responses which work for our good.   

Psa 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 

Psa 37:24  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 

Deu 33:27  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:

Remember, God does not  demand spiritual "Supermen". 

Mic 6:8  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 

When a person is Born Again i.e. a sincerely Bible believing, Christian he/she is given Eternal Life.

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 

which makes it very clear that such gift can never be taken away. or lost, emphasised by

Joh 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 

Joh 6:39  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

However, the quality of a person's relationship with God can vary. 

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 

1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 

1Co 3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 

1Co 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

This clearly refers to our behavior after being Born Again as we are "building upon the foundation", laid in our hearts by God and requires us to

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

That "Study" is of the Word of God and is directed to the growth of "Faith"  (sincere, practical and total belief) in God

Rom_4:3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Gal_3:6  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Jas_2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Regular reading of the Scriptures is clearly the way to increase faith, when we see the results in our lives as we exercise that faith and put our trust in God more and more. This will have many results, some of which we may not be aware of.

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 

Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 

Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

The continual awareness of our requirement for daily, or more frequently, confession and repentance, but only as the Hoy Spirit convicts us, is an integral part of the quality of our relationship

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

1Jn 1:8  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

1Jn 1:10  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 

and that will result in our having an amazing peace.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Remember true Love is the greatest expression  of a true Bible Believing Christian

1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 

1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 

1Co 13:1  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

1Co 13:2  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

1Co 13:3  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

1Co 13:4  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

1Co 13:5  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.     

1Co 13:6  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

1Co 13:7  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

1Co 13:8  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 

1Co 13:9  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 

1Co 13:10  but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 

1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 

1Co 13:12  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 

1Co 

13:13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

NIV  (King James version replaces "Love"  with  "Charity".)

The variations in the quality of our relationship with God gives rise to difficulties in our understanding of other believers' actions or comments. and can account for different interpretations of scripture. As Paul puts it

1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 

1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many. 

1Co 12:15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

1Co 12:16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

1Co 12:17  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

1Co 12:19  And if they were all one member, where were the body? 

1Co 12:20  But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

1Co 12:21  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 

1Co 12:22  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 

and

Rom 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 

Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

Rom 14:13  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 

Rom 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 

Rom 14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 

and

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 

Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 

Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 

Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 

Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 

Rom 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 

Certainly, there is no need to hold back on expressing a solidly held interpretation of a passage of scripture but never persist if there is a clearly held dissention but accept that the Holy Spirit may consider it is not yet time for either of you to have the same understanding.  However, there are certain scriptures where there is no room for doubt for a sincere Bible believing Christian, e.g. salvation being

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

and

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

ARMINIANISM - Calvinism

This is taken by most people to expound in opposition to Calvinism.  Unfortunately, followers of both have developed their theology beyond that of their so called founders. Arminianists propound that a true Chrisitan can lose his eternal life, but  Arminian himself  declared in 1599 that this matter required further study in the Scriptures.. Arminius said two years before his death in his "Declaration of Sentiments" (1607), "I never taught that a true believer can, either totally or finally fall away from the faith, and perish; yet I will not conceal, that there are passages of scripture which seem to me to wear this aspect; and those answers to them which I have been permitted to see, are not of such a kind as to approve themselves on all points to my understanding."  

That, in my view, is a wonderfully honest assessment of his position.  The scriptures which gave him a problem are probably

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,  

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  

Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

This passage does NOT say eternal security is lost by apostacy of a true believer. Their "Works" may be burned and they may suffer some kind of loss; just as it is common practice to set fire to a field in order to destroy all pests. It is not the land or the soil which is destroyed. In fact the soil is enriched by the fertilising effect of the burnt vegetation etc.

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  1Co 3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  1Co 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.      ("Endureth" = "overcometh the World" in the following verse

1Jn 5:5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Therefore, all true believers will overcome and endure to the end.

Those who pushed Arminius' doctrine beyond his clearly stated position seem to be concerned that, otherwise, we would appear to be automated puppets operated by God and, therefore,

overemphasise the force of our "free will". Nowhere in the Scriptures does it say we have a "Free Will".  What we do have is a limited freedom of choice.  

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

Psa 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  Psa 37:24  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Psa 139:5  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.  

Psa 139:6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 

The above texts from Psalms clearly state that the Lord, whilst allowing a true believer some freedom of choice, He does, for our eternal benefit, often limit that choice. 

Exo 32:32  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.  Exo 32:33  And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 

At other times He allows our choices, even to our detriment.

Psa 106:14  But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.  

Psa 106:15  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. 

This is difficult for the human mind to understand. As quoted above

Psa 139:6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 

and also even angels 

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.