Lose Your Salvation?

In this morning’s Christian Fundamentals Class, two women asked if they could lose their salvation.  In the last blog, we looked at what it takes to be saved.  The question now is if we can keep that salvation or lose it through sinful acts.

My answer to the question in class was, “Can you be saved by works?”  She answered “no,” of course.  I asked, “Then how can you lose your salvation through [bad] works?”  That was a simplistic answer but true.  Let’s look a little closer.

First, let’s consider the most problematic passage about the topic,

Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV)
4  For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5  and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6  and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

There are a couple of points to be made from this passage.  First, this might well be describing Judas Iscariot or Simon Magus.  They both tasted of the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit.  They tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come.  So, it doesn’t seem this is at all talking about Christians but about seekers who have only reached step two in the three steps to salvation.  They saw the miracles of God and were actually involved in the works of God.  But, they didn’t turn control of their lives over to Jesus.  They didn’t make Him Lord of their lives.  So, this passage is almost certainly not speaking of the saved.

Secondly, those who claim this shows you can lose your salvation must also read that it is impossible to get that salvation back.  The passage says so.  So, if this were the correct interpretation of the passage, we could not sin once after we’re saved or we would lose our salvation forever.

The belief we can never lose out salvation is called Eternal Security.  One major source for this doctrine is Romans 8:

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Think about it.  Jesus said in John 3:16 that those who believe in Him will live with Him forever.  When does that eternal life begin?  It begins at the moment we accept Christ as our Savior, doesn’t it?  If that could be taken away from you, then it isn’t eternal life.

Let me illustrate the problem.  You go to a Billy Graham Crusade.  You wholeheartedly accept Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.  You’re saved. An hour later, on the drive home, you hit another car head on and you die.  Just before impact, a curse word crosses your lips.  You sinned.  If those who believe you can lose your salvation are correct, you are condemned to an eternity of punishment.  Your Christian life only lasted an hour.  Your eternal life only lasted an hour, too.  Eternal life that only lasts an hour is not eternal.  It only lasted an hour. Eternal life is just that, life that lasts forever.

So, we cannot lose our salvation.  Life for the Christian will be eternal and spent rejoicing with the God of the universe.

2 thoughts on “Lose Your Salvation?”

  1. Mike,
    I believe one can’t “lose” their salvation , nor would sin following conversion impact one’s salvation. The question I have wondered about and I’m not sure if it matters in the over scheme of things, is: While no one can “pry” anyone from the hand of God, could one in fact “jump?” Just as it is a decision to follow Christ – could one then decide to turn away from Christ. I know that based on denominational doctrine, various commentaries, scholars, interpretations, etc., the answer can vary. What say you?
    ybiC, mp

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    1. Hi Mike,

      Good question. I’ve run into people who believe you can “resign” your salvation, too. I don’t personally think you can. Paul says thins in Romans:

      Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
      38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

      I also think the argument that if you could loose eternal life, you never had it would apply here as well. If you can give up eternal life, you never had it, either. Other than the idea that we can never be separated from God’s love, I don’t see a clear answer from Scripture.

      What might apply is the idea that if someone is truly saved WOULD they give up their salvation? In Romans 9:3, Paul says that he was not only willing to give up his salvation but wishes that he could, but he couldn’t:

      Romans 9:3 (ESV)
      3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

      So, I don’t think it would be possible.

      Thanks. Good question, Mike.

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