About those "Yeah, Buts"

Jesus Christ taught that everlasting life is given the moment a person believes in Him for the 2nd birth.  Despite the clear teaching of Jesus Christ on the permanence of everlasting life, after all He did call it everlasting, there are still those who deny it is.  They claim it can be lost.  I call them the “yeah, but” people because they generally say something to the effect of yeah, He said that, but over here it says and they quote something from a different passage.  In doing so they fail to realize they actually conceded the truth of what Jesus Christ said.  If it is true then whatever passage that person wants to look at must be dealing with something other than receiving everlasting life. 
 
One example I’ve heard people use is Luke 14:25-28 - Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--
 
Jesus said that so it must be true and it is.  But the subject here is discipleship not initial salvation.  Becoming a disciple is not the same thing as receiving everlasting life. One huge clue is that Jesus Christ doesn’t mention faith.  He was talking about something we must do.  Being a disciple will cost you something (v. 28), so you need to know the price.  Everlasting life is a free gift.  Romans 6:23 -For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  OK, this is not complicated.  Something that cost you is not free. 
 
These distinctions are important.  Those who preach everlasting life can be lost are saying we cannot trust the words of Jesus Christ.  They also run the risk of convincing someone being good is the way to heaven.  The Bible clearly teaches it is by grace we are saved through faith and that not of our selves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8 & 9).