Hi Robert!
I'm not entirely sure I agree with the use of that passage here. For your consideration:
In 5 and 6, Paul is describing his self-righteous qualifications. In 7-9, he admits these things are useless for salvation, as this is only gained through grace and faith (sole fide!
Romans 3:28: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."). 10, 11 he looks forward to resurrection by this salvation - gained not by works.
Now in 12, he has not yet (as none of us have) attained
1.) perfection (will come through Christ),
2.) fellowship of sharing in His sufferings,
3.) becoming like Him in His death
2.) resurrection (again, gained through Christ)
These are the things from which Jesus saved us, and accepted us (and for the glory of the Father, i.e.:
God has called us "heavenward" to perfect us - for resurrection - to remain with Him forever - to glorify Him. His glory is the ultimate goal.
As an aside, note 16, "...live up to what we have already attained." Live up to the standard of our calling, and don't blaspheme I haven't addressed any other arguments for loss of salvation, but that one, in context, seems to put a tiny torpedo into it.
(Doesn't conditional salvation smell a bit like works-righteousness? We are justified by grace in faith, but if this can be lost, we must constantly work to maintain it. Now, I am by no means advocating excessive and ungodly abuse of the liberty Paul addresses in Romans 14 - that to me would support my arguement indicating such a person was never saved in the first place. A righteous true disciple will be in a process of perfection and disciple by the Holy Spirit...stumbles may occur, but...)
Again, for me, more reading
and studying
to be done. No scholar I.