Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:6-9 KJV)

The attack on knowledge of Scripture and thinking is unscriptural. It is knowledge, thinking, understanding coupled with assent to the propositions of that understanding that produces saving faith. That faith in turn produces a change in behavior and a life long commitment to sanctification as a process. Perseverance is struggle against sin, not a license to sin. God alone gives the grace of perseverance to His elect.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 KJV)

If God does not predetermine the elect to persevere then we have no hope whatsoever. If God leaves the elect to their own capricious and sinful wills, then it follows that they can have no assurance of salvation whatsoever.

While assurance can be lost, election and salvation cannot be lost. If so, then we are back in the Arminian theology of eternal insecurity.

1 John 1:8-9 and 1 John 5:18 are not opposed. There are no sinless Christians. But Christians as a matter of habit do not sin. The habits of their lives are forever changed and predisposed to a pattern of holiness, albeit they are never absolutely sinless in this life.

Charlie

For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJ)