Hello Sorin,
I concur, they tend to assume they won't receive any punishment, thats' precisely what I meant by stating that alot of these E-mailers to Ray don't read the entire story or article. They ASSUME(making an a@@ out of you & me). When I briefly heard about Eternal Salvation years ago, I thought it was too good to be true to even pursue the matter further, but I didn't ridicule it, God apparently wasn't ready for me to embrace these wonderfull Truths. Almost everyone that I've personally spoken with about Eternal Salvation tend to think, " You can do anything you want and still receive Salvation", I like Rays point about the Apostle Paul being " the worst of sinners", hence my Scriptural reference at the bottom of my Posts. People need God to remove the scales from their eyes, first, they don't seem to read these plain Scriptures and read them at their face value. I don't know any other way someone might interpret " Worst ", and theirs' no evidence prior to Pauls' conversion, that he was going to change his disposition, until his experience with Christ on the Road to Damascus, as Ray said, it took less than 30 seconds for Paul to drastically change his entire direction. I remember years ago a fellow JW when confronted with that passage and Pauls quick conversion, He said " God made an exception in his case, by making him change ", my response to that now would be poppycock. When discussing with my Wife about people eventually changing, I tell her, they might not change in this lifetime, but don't worry they will eventually, I said don't worry, God isn't going to allow anyone to remain wicked, they will learn righteousness, one way or another. I can use myself as an example and my wife knows it, God is teaching me to learn how to get along with women, hence a few past Marriages, hopefully for my sake, I'll get the message this time or alot more suffering is headed my way(Hebews. chapter 12). Just a side note, my wedding Anniversary is in April, I told my wife that I would look at our Marriage certificate prior to the actual date, to make sure I don't mess it up, She said, may God help you, if you do forget April 17th(Ha Ha)
Enjoyed your comments and perspective Sorin, lets' keep the Spiritual Ball rolling, its' very stimulating and my Wife is glad I'm on the computer discussing these Truths, she says it keeps me calm and out of her hair, in reality she's a Great Woman, with a good street knowledge of how to deal with men, she has too, in order to put up with me.
Your Brother in Christ, Samson.