1 John 2:19 says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." According to this passage, people who profess to know Jesus but later deny Him were never truly saved. Many who point to this passage as proof that a Christian can lose salvation, doesn't understand what it is saying. What about Christians who continue to live in unrepented sin? What about the Christian who died because of the sin he was living? Do these people lose their salvation? The simple truth: When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, believing in who He is and what He done........THEY ARE SAVED. Romans 5:8, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Hebrews 10:26-27 "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." When answering the question concerning losing one's salvation, we have to look at this passage carefully. We should take the overall context of the passage, along with the entire New Testament concerning salvation, and make interpretations that is consistent with ALL of God's Word. In other words: We never stop at just one passage of scripture when studying the Bible. First, read in the beginning of Hebrews Chapter 10. In verse 4 it is clear that Jews were attempting to go back to the Old Testament laws, sacrificing "bulls and goats" as a way to get forgiveness of sins. The author is saying in v. 26 "that we have received the knowledge of the truth", therefore there is no need for animal sacrifices. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. The perfect sacrifice.
Romans 5:1 "Justified by faith I have peace." There are too many Christians today that are missing out of a great joy because they allow tension and doubt to creep in over the fear of losing one's salvation.
A license to sin
Those who believe a "salvation lost" doctrine, make the claim that if you can't lose it, then that gives everyone a license to sin. A Christian's salvation is not based on the "good works" that we do or the goodness of our hearts. Remember Jesus said no one is good, but God. Throughout the Bible, there are warnings against living in sin. If a person is truly a believer in Christ, then they will have a new and deeper desire to please God. And when we do sin, we have a deeper conviction of wanting to stop and do better. We are not perfect. We are fallible human beings and we do fail to meet God's glorious standards. God in His Word makes a promise in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
John 10:27-29 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..........they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my Father's hand." This should bring peace to everyone who comes to Jesus that nothing will take away our salvation.
Romans 8:33-39 "who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?.........who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Nothing separates us from our Savior.
John 6:37 "all that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Salvation is by grace and grace is favor, thus salvation is a gift.
The uncertainty of a Christian's salvation can lead to an unfulfilled life. A life filled with anxiety and sometimes depression that keeps them from serving our Lord to the best of their abilities. It is normal for a Christian to enter a period of time in their life where doubt creeps in. It normal for a Christian to let sin slip through leaving us to wonder if God has forgotten us. Its normal if a Christian sometimes feel like sin is overwhelming them, that they "back slide" in moments of time. Its normal for Christians in certain moments of time to feel like they are not growing spiritually. Our adversary wants us to feel this way and think that its not normal. Satan understands that when Christians doubt their salvation for too long or too often, it will dilute our effectiveness for serving our Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 6:4-6 "for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." The author is speaking to the unsaved who have heard the truth, but is hesitant to embrace Jesus as Savior. These unbelievers were at the best possible point for repentance......full knowledge. To fall back at this point would be fatal.
Affirmations
1. We are not saved because we are good, nor are we lost because we are bad.
2. Jesus said if we believe in Him, we will NEVER perish.
3. God's Word says, "we all fall short," thus the reason for Jesus' death.
4. Jesus never said a true Chrisitan can lose salvation.
5. We are saved through "faith" and not by "good works", therefore the sins that Christians struggle with daily is irrelevant concerning salvation.
6. Ephesians 1:13 and Ephesians 4:30 These verses states that when we believe and accept the truth our salvation is "sealed".
If scripture taught salvation could be lost, wouldn't we see passages throughout the Bible showing us how to regain it back? God's Word does not speak of a Christian losing their salvation, but it does speak of bringing judgement to believers who have "fallen away" from obedience. They are stilled saved by the blood of Christ.
1
