There are many scriptures that seem to contradict eternal security.

John 15:2. Jesus' illustration of the vine and branches is an illustration of those who think they are Christians and those who are Christians.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit . . . I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (NASB) John 15:1-2, 5-6

The key to unlocking this passage is to note that in verse two Jesus refers to those who are "in Me," but in the remaining verses He talks about those who "abide in Me and I in them" (V. 4, 5, and 7). Later in verses 5 and 6 Jesus says that those who are in Him "bear much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing." Jesus actually explains "in Me." Jesus says that those who "abide in Me" will produce fruit. So if someone does not produce fruit, they were never abiding in Him. Jesus is being careful with His words. "Abiding" is the issue. Those who are "in Me" are not necessarily Christians. Judas was in Jesus, but he did not abide because he did not produce fruit. He was eventually cut off.
Romans 11:20-22. The Romans 11:20-22 passage is talking about the nation of Israel and Gentiles. You may want to review an explanation given of Romans 11:17. This section in Romans is not dealing with individuals but with the high position given to Gentiles in the church at this point in time. Paul is talking about the mystery of the church.

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in . . . (NASB) Romans 11:25

2 Peter 2:20-22. The most difficult passage to understand is this one. The key to understanding it is found in the verses before it or in the context. Chapter two is talking about false prophets.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (NASB) 2 Peter 2:1

Later in verse 17 the Holy Spirit says they are like "springs without water" and in verse 19 "slaves of corruption." They are not Christians. These men have come into the church and gained a position of influence and later started teaching error. Jude 4 has some words for these men and women.

For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (NASB) Jude 4

The teachers knew the way of truth and "cleaned up" their life. Eternally they "escaped the defilements." Judas looked good to the other disciples. During the last supper when Jesus said one of them would betray Him, they were surprised and started asking, "Who?" Yet, Judas was never real. He was stealing their money all along (John 12:6; 13:29). Judas looked good to everyone. These prophets did too.

For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. (NASB) 2 Peter 2:20-21

They knew the way, but they turned away. They were like the seed which fell fell beside the road, on rocky soil and beside the thorns. The heard but did not understand. They exploited the church but never believed in Jesus.

Conclusion:Is salvation by faith or works? If my works were never good enough to save me (Romans 3:10-12) why should they have any efficacy - spiritual benefit - to keep me saved? Is salvation by works or faith? Yes, my works are the result of being saved because the Holy Spirit produces them in me, but they do not save me. Why should God "unsave" me because of my works after He had already saved me when I was only doing bad works? I was a sinner and not an enemy (Rom. 5:10). Praise God that He saved me and forgave me all of my sins - even the ones I will commit in the future. Praise the Lord, there are no sins that He holds against me now to deny me eternal salvation (Heb. 9:28, 10:10).

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