Can a born again Christian ever lose his salvation? - By Terry Watkins

[ChosenbyHim]

by Terry Watkins​

Can a born again
Christian ever lose his salvation?

Can a Christian ever lose their salvation? Can someone who has truly been saved ever be lost?
​

What saith the scriptures?
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Salvation is BELIEVING in Jesus Christ

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Salvation is trusting or believing in, by faith, that Jesus Christ paid for your sins with His blood on the cross of Calvary.

"He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life:. . ." John 3:36

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are NOT saved by WORKS

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

The Bible makes it clear that OUR WORKS has nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation.

We don't receive it by our works — and we don't keep it by our works!

" NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,. . ." Titus 3:5

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Salvation is a FREE GIFT

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Salvation is the free gift of God. If we had to work to keep it — it would not be a free gift — and God would be a liar!

". . . the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

". . .by the righteousness of one THE FREE GIFT came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 5:18
​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Salvation is a NEW BIRTH.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Salvation is not enduring or a process, but an event in time. Salvation is a NEW BIRTH. Just as your first birth happened on a certain time and day, so does the second birth.

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a TIME accepted, and in THE DAY OF SALVATION have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted TIME; behold, now is THE DAY OF SALVATION.)" 2 Corinthians 6:2

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

"Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] You become a CHILD OF GOD

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Once you are born again SPIRITUALLY — you become a child of God.

"Beloved, NOW are we the SONS OF GOD, . . ." 1 John 3:2

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of ADOPTION, whereby we cry, Abba, FATHER." Romans 8:15​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Nothing can SEPARATE us from our Father

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Just as nothing can "negate" your physical birth, nothing can "negate" your spiritual birth.

My children will always be my children. We may have troubled times. Our fellowship may be broken, but our relationship can never be broken. They will always be my children. Nothing or nobody can change that! And once you are born again spiritually — God becomes your Father — nothing or nobody can change that! Your fellowship may be broken, but your relationship can never be broken!

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38

"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." John 10:29​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Jesus will NEVER leave us

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Jesus promised He will never leave us. Jesus could not say this if there was even a chance of losing our salvation.

". . .for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

". . . and, lo, I am with you ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We already HAVE eternal life

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

When the Bible speaks of possessing eternal life, it speaks in the present tense (hath, have, etc.) — SOMETHING WE ALREADY HAVE! If we had to work or endure to keep our salvation, this could not be true.

"He that believeth on the Son HATH EVERLASTING LIFE:.. ." John 3:36

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,. . ." 1 John 5:13

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE,. . ." John 5:24​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Jesus will NOT cast you out

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

". . . him that cometh to me I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT." John 6:37​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are COMPLETE in Jesus Christ

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

"And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:10​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are PERFECTED FOR EVER

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

We are "perfected for ever" by Jesus Christ. How could the Lord say such a bold statement if we had to earn or keep our salvation?

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. . . For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:10,14​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are PRESERVED in Christ Jesus

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED IN JESUS CHRIST, and called:" Jude 1

"And THE LORD. . . WILL PRESERVE ME unto his heavenly kingdom:. . ." 2 Timothy 4:18​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are KEPT by the POWER of God

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

"Who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5

"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," Jude 24​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are saved to the UTTERMOST

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the UTTERMOST that come unto God by him,. . ." Hebrews 7:25​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We are SEALED until the day of redemption

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby YE ARE SEALED unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30

". . .after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise," Ephesians 1:13 ​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] What about the BACKSLIDER?

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

What about the "backslider" or somebody that forsakes the Lord? The Bible says he will suffer loss (rewards, etc.) — but he himself shall be saved!

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] We become the BODY OF CHRIST

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

"For we are MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5:30

"Now ye are the BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular." 1 Corinthians 12:18 ​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] What if we later — BELIEVE NOT?

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Our salvation is so secure — even if we BELIEVE NOT after we're saved, because we become part of Him (the body of Christ), ". . .yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF."

"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF." 2 Timothy 2:13​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] But what if I sin an awful sin?

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

1 Corinthians 5 reports of an awful sin in the church. And even though Paul commands ". . . To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" — Paul still speaks of that person being saved — ". . .that the spirit MAY BE SAVED. . ."

"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. . .To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit MAY BE SAVED in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1 Corinthians 5:1,5​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] To lose your salvation — makes God a LIAR

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

With all the PROMISES from God to KEEP you, to SAVE you, to PRESERVE you — to even suggest you could lose your salvation — is to call God a LIAR!

". . .he that BELIEVETH NOT GOD hath made him a LIAR; . . ." 1 John 5:10​

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] Why do people doubt their salvation?

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

• They trust in feelings rather than the word of God.
  
  
  "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:. . ." Proverbs 28:26 ​
• They are confused by the simplicity of salvation.
  
  
  "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from THE SIMPLICITY that is in Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3​
• They trust in tradition or church teachings rather than the word of God.
  
  
  "Making the word of God of none effect through your TRADITION,. . ." Mark 7:13​
• They trust in their own righteousness.
  
  
  ". . . and all OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES are as filthy rags;. . ." Isaiah 64:6​
• They misapply and misunderstand scriptures.
  
  
  They misapply scriptures such as Matthew 24:13, Hebrews 10:26 to the church age of grace, when they doctrinally apply to the tribulation or the millenium.​
• They have NEVER been saved.
  
  
  "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;. . ." Matthew 7:21​

​

 

[savedNblessed]

God knew I needed to know this today. Thank you!

 

[ChosenbyHim]

God knew I needed to know this today. Thank you!

Absolutely Disha! you are welcome I am so glad that this helped. Praise, honour, and all glory be to God!

 

[crossnote]

wait til Tommy and Skinski get hold of this one. hehe

 

[PS]

2 Peter 2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

2 Peter 2:21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

Ezekiel 33:18 “If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it.”

Hebrews 6:4 “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Proverbs 21:16 “A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.”

 

[crossnote]

The 2nd Peter passage v.9 indicates these are ungodly from the start and
v.22 shows their nature never was changed. i.e.never were born again.

 

[PS]

I missed a couple

Matthew 12:31-32
And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.


Mark 3:28
Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

 

[HSfilledlady]

"Just as nothing can "negate" your physical birth, nothing can "negate" your spiritual birth." ?

Eh.....Not so fast chosenbyhim.

While it is true God does say He wont do anything to keep us from his gift of salvation, it does say Christians can keep themselves from eternity in heaven
Romans 11:20-22 - But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
1 Timothy 1:18-20 - Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Hebrews 6:4-6 - It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Hebrews 10:26-31 - If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
2 Peter 2:20-22 - If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
2 Peter 3:17 - Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
1 John 2:24 - See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Revelation 3:5 - He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 22:19 - And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

These scriptures indicate it is possible to loose your salvation but not because it is what God wants. It is always because poeple either didn't ever really believe or because they did and instead of continuing in Christ chose to be entrenched in sin instead.

In Rev it even talks about a man's name being blotted out of the Lambs book of Life, which means it had to be written in and then REMOVED.

 

[Radius]

Many times (not all) people are in fear of losing their salvation because they are living in some particular sin that has a stranglehold on them, perhaps backsliding. I've been there before and I've had similar thoughts of doubt. It wasn't until I broke out of two certain sins I have been in and forsake them and turned to God and in repentance and stopped doing them that I felt "full" and "secure" in my salvation again.

So if anyone is reading this, please stop the 2-3 (or all if you can) biggest "thorny" sins you have in your side and I promise the conviction will go away and you will be put back in fellowship with God and feel secure again in your salvation. I had panic attacks at night before I fell asleep thinking about these sins and thinking how ashamed I would be if I died while in this sinful lifestyle and how guilty I would have felt to see Jesus face to face--I wasn't ready to face Him in the condition I was in. It literally kept me awake at night. But God, who started the good work in you and me, WILL bring it to completion. Living in sin will not make you feel comfortable and the Holy Spirit will assault your conscience until you turn back. And let me tell you, since I've turned back fully to God, those two sins I was committing do NOT compare in the satisfaction to my soul. Knowing I am closer to God without the shroud of guilt hanging over my head feels so great and so gratifying.

Please turn away from those strongholds in your life today--quit cold turkey!--and I promise you will instantly feel better.

In Jesus' Holy name, amen.

 

[Radius]

"Just as nothing can "negate" your physical birth, nothing can "negate" your spiritual birth." ?

Eh.....Not so fast chosenbyhim.

While it is true God does say He wont do anything to keep us from his gift of salvation, it does say Christians can keep themselves from eternity in heaven
Romans 11:20-22 - But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
1 Timothy 1:18-20 - Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Hebrews 6:4-6 - It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Hebrews 10:26-31 - If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
2 Peter 2:20-22 - If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
2 Peter 3:17 - Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
1 John 2:24 - See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Revelation 3:5 - He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 22:19 - And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

These scriptures indicate it is possible to loose your salvation but not because it is what God wants. It is always because poeple either didn't ever really believe or because they did and instead of continuing in Christ chose to be entrenched in sin instead.

In Rev it even talks about a man's name being blotted out of the Lambs book of Life, which means it had to be written in and then REMOVED.

Ok, but what about this verse?

"It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."

 

[savedNblessed]

Many times (not all) people are in fear of losing their salvation because they are living in some particular sin that has a stranglehold on them, perhaps pObacksliding. I've been there before and I've had similar thoughts of doubt. It wasn't until I broke out of two certain sins I have been in and forsake them and turned to God and in repentance and stopped doing them that I felt "full" and "secure" in my salvation again.

So if anyone is reading this, please stop the 2-3 (or all if you can) biggest "thorny" sins you have in your side and I promise the conviction will go away and you will be put back in fellowship with God and feel secure again in your salvation. I had panic attacks at night before I fell asleep thinking about these sins and thinking how ashamed I would be if I died while in this sinful lifestyle and how guilty I would have felt to see Jesus face to face--I wasn't ready to face Him in the condition I was in. It literally kept me awake at night. But God, who started the good work in you and me, WILL bring it to completion. Living in sin will not make you feel comfortable and the Holy Spirit will assault your conscience until you turn back. And let me tell you, since I've turned back fully to God, those two sins I was committing do NOT compare in the satisfaction to my soul. Knowing I am closer to God without the shroud of guilt hanging over my head feels so great and so gratifying.

Please turn away from those strongholds in your life today--quit cold turkey!--and I promise you will instantly feel better.

In Jesus' Holy name, amen.

I know the feeling you are talking about. That's exactly what I was going through.

 

[RickShafer]

Well, the problem is in the definition.
First, who says he/she was born again?
Did God bop you on the head?
We always look at it from our angle of doing.

Those who are His will never be lost.
Trust in Him. If you fall, keep trusting.
If you are His, He will resurrect you into a newness of life.
The work is His.
What if you fall 70 x 7 ( = 490) times a day? He will forgive you, if you keep trusting in Him.
- - - - ( Just expect Him to require you to be like Him and forgive others just as much!!!)
Those that are His eventually learn to obey Him. - "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me"

 

[Tintin]

God gives us the faith to have faith in Him. He saves us, we just accept his help.

 

[RickShafer]

We often say........."oh God!!!! I'm destitute. I don't know you!"
- - - "How can you ever save a sinner like me!"
(I mean, we say this when we haven't even done anything.)
It is the separation, - the whole creation groans for redemption.
Deer, and cows, and antelope, (even walruses), groan for reconciliation......

With their maker. - (How much more do we, made in His image?)

 

[jimmydiggs]

"Just as nothing can "negate" your physical birth, nothing can "negate" your spiritual birth." ?

Eh.....Not so fast chosenbyhim.

While it is true God does say He wont do anything to keep us from his gift of salvation, it does say Christians can keep themselves from eternity in heaven
Romans 11:20-22 - But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
1 Timothy 1:18-20 - Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Hebrews 6:4-6 - It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Hebrews 10:26-31 - If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
2 Peter 2:20-22 - If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
2 Peter 3:17 - Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
1 John 2:24 - See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Revelation 3:5 - He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 22:19 - And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

These scriptures indicate it is possible to loose your salvation but not because it is what God wants. It is always because poeple either didn't ever really believe or because they did and instead of continuing in Christ chose to be entrenched in sin instead.

In Rev it even talks about a man's name being blotted out of the Lambs book of Life, which means it had to be written in and then REMOVED.

I don't have the power to keep myself saved.

The problem with what you qoute and how you use it is the same problem Catholics have when they claim grace+works. Works come after the reality of the Grace, just as perseverence comes after the reality of Grace. Only if that Grace is taken away can that perseverence disappear. If God has saved a person they will persevere. If they do not persevere, they were never saved. Don't put the cart before the horse.

 

[justamazed]

If any man is incapable of saving himself, why then put the onus on that man to take hold of something which is FREELY given by God?

 

[PS]

We are quite safe in His loving care for He will always guide, protect and forgive us our sins, the only cause for concern is the believer who does a 180 degree turn around and commits apostasy, totally rejecting and denouncing the Lord for evermore.

Providing we don't do that then our salvation is eternally secure.

 

[jimmydiggs]

If any man is incapable of saving himself, why then put the onus on that man to take hold of something which is FREELY given by God?

How do you think a man is ever able to take a hold of it?

John 1:13
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will,
but born of God.

 

[justamazed]

How do you think a man is ever able to take a hold of it?

John 1:13
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will,
but born of God.

What man that has come into the world was NOT born of God?

 

[in-God-we-trust]

1) When born by a woman a child discovers its body.
2) When properly raised and educated then the elder child discovers its spirit.
3) Finally, as a mature human being, it discovers the Holy Spirit which connects it to Jesus Christ, God and its fellow Christians.

1) is commonly called "born". 2) is called educated- 3) is called "reborn in the Spirit".

Nothing of these 3 states can be made undone. You cannot simply erase your birth, your education and also not your birth in the Spirit.

If reborn in the Spirit the body means next to nothing to you. The worst thing you can lose is your body, the Holy Spirit can never die, because the Holy Spirit is not within your brain as your human spirit is, but the Holy Spirit is among all Christians and with God. It is like the internet, if one pc goes offline the internet does not die.

When reborn in the Spirit sin becomes utterly meaningless for you!


1 Corinthians 15:52in a flash,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the
dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the
perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with
immortality. 54When the
perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with
immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been
swallowed up in victory.”55“Where,
O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”[SUP]h[/SUP]
56The sting of
death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be
to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The last trumpet sounds for everybody individually when she/he is reborn in the Spirit! Death and sin loses its sting.