Question: "Can a Christian lose salvation?"

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[ealgeone]

Question: "Can a Christian lose salvation?"

Answer: First, the term Christian must be defined. A “Christian” is not a person who has said a prayer or walked down an aisle or been raised in a Christian family. While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience, they are not what makes a Christian. A Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and therefore possesses the Holy Spirit (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8–9).

So, with this definition in mind, can a Christian lose salvation? It’s a crucially important question. Perhaps the best way to answer it is to examine what the Bible says occurs at salvation and to study what losing salvation would entail:

A Christian is a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A Christian is not simply an “improved” version of a person; a Christian is an entirely new creature. He is “in Christ.” For a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be destroyed.

A Christian is redeemed. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19). The word redeemed refers to a purchase being made, a price being paid. We were purchased at the cost of Christ’s death. For a Christian to lose salvation, God Himself would have to revoke His purchase of the individual for whom He paid with the precious blood of Christ.

A Christian is justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). To justify is to declare righteous. All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared. Those absolved of guilt would have to be tried again and found guilty. God would have to reverse the sentence handed down from the divine bench.

A Christian is promised eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life is the promise of spending forever in heaven with God. God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.” For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be redefined. The Christian is promised to live forever. Does eternal not mean “eternal”?

A Christian is marked by God and sealed by the Spirit. “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13–14). At the moment of faith, the new Christian is marked and sealed with the Spirit, who was promised to act as a deposit to guarantee the heavenly inheritance. The end result is that God’s glory is praised. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to erase the mark, withdraw the Spirit, cancel the deposit, break His promise, revoke the guarantee, keep the inheritance, forego the praise, and lessen His glory.

A Christian is guaranteed glorification. “Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). According to Romans 5:1, justification is ours at the moment of faith. According to Romans 8:30, glorification comes with justification. All those whom God justifies are promised to be glorified. This promise will be fulfilled when Christians receive their perfect resurrection bodies in heaven. If a Christian can lose salvation, then Romans 8:30 is in error, because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies.

A Christian cannot lose salvation. Most, if not all, of what the Bible says happens to us when we receive Christ would be invalidated if salvation could be lost. Salvation is the gift of God, and God’s gifts are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). A Christian cannot be un-newly created. The redeemed cannot be unpurchased. Eternal life cannot be temporary. God cannot renege on His Word. Scripture says that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

Two common objections to the belief that a Christian cannot lose salvation concern these experiential issues: 1) What about Christians who live in a sinful, unrepentant lifestyle? 2) What about Christians who reject the faith and deny Christ? The problem with these objections is the assumption that everyone who calls himself a “Christian” has actually been born again. The Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a state of continual, unrepentant sin (1 John 3:6). The Bible also says that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he was never truly a Christian (1 John 2:19). He may have been religious, he may have put on a good show, but he was never born again by the power of God. “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). The redeemed of God belong “to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).

Nothing can separate a child of God from the Father’s love (Romans 8:38–39). Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand (John 10:28–29). God guarantees eternal life and maintains the salvation He has given us. The Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, and, “when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:5–6). The lamb is found, and the Shepherd gladly bears the burden; our Lord takes full responsibility for bringing the lost one safely home.

Jude 24–25 further emphasizes the goodness and faithfulness of our Savior: “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

[MHGinTN]

With your permission I would like to share that essay with a few folks. It was so well constructed and intelligible that it is a true gem.

[Iscool]

Just remember that Jesus founded His Catholic Church until the end of the age. Rejection of the Catholic Church is a rejection of Jesus.

Sure, according to your Catholic Church...But according to God's written words, not a chance...

[Iscool]

Bingo again bro. That’s two in one day. Would you like to try for a third?

Don't get in my way...I'm on a roll.... :)

[ADSUM]

God let us have free will to either do His will or to sin. Often we do not understand why it takes so long to answer our prayers. God does things at His pace, not ours.

Yes the Catholic Church has problems and many sinners. Just as Jesus dealt with many sinners during His ministry, Jesus and the Catholic Church wants to lead those who accept Jesus on the path to eternal life with God. Even Popes and priests can be sinners. But there are saints too St Mother Theresa of India, Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Fulton Sheen (in process), a navy chaplain (in process). There are many good practicing Catholics who will become saints when they die.

We hopefully learn from our failures and learn to love God and our neighbor.

While the Church has it share of problems, they are the problems of the world and while here on earth we attempt to change them in accordance with God’s plan. Yet the Catholic Church is one of a few groups that still follow God’s teachings and His moral values. Yes we still have sinners (probably less than other groups - just more publicity), but isn’t it better to be with a group founded by Jesus and share in the love of Jesus.

Jesus told us He was not of this world and this world rejected Him. Likewise, we will also have to endure the hatred of the world. We will be rejected too.

[Mark17]

Context is your friend, even though it’s apparently a foreign concept to Catholics.

I believe I could agree with that, and you know I was a baptized member of a certain works based religion, which will remain unnamed. 😀 It's a beautiful thing, to know, absolutely, positively, that we WILL go to Heaven. That must get some people's goat. 😆 Oh well, such is life. Quite frankly, I don't care if it is presumption. I'll do it all day long. 😱

[ADSUM]

Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects the one who sent me. Luke 10

[daniel1212]

It’s that we are kept by God not our own efforts, which amount to works.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)

Being kept by faith is not of works, but which does not mean one cannot choose act in a way that denies the faith, and to no longer believe, albeit resisting God. And which departing from the living God in unbelief believers are warned against.

We can take no credit for believing and for works of faith, but we must take full credit for choosing to sin, contrary to God's working in us.

[Mark17]

Don't get in my way...I'm on a roll.... :)

No problem bro. I will stay out of your way, and watch the fun. By the way, you got your third bingo, when you said "not a chance." 😁

[Zuriel]

Another case of ‘sola scriptura’ folks being selective with their scriptures?

I’ve noticed many like to quote what they want to out of Romans, avoiding sizable portions of chapters, such as in chapter 6, which revisits the rebirth process of those in Rome, “called to be saints”...whose faith was..” spoken of throughout the whole world”. Rom. 1:7,8.

Also the passage in chapter 11; particularly verses 20-22, where Paul reminds them to “continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off”.

It appears that Paul knows that people do make a choice to forsake God’s goodness, because they love this present world. Paul’s fellow minister and assistant, Demas, did just that. Do folks think that Demas just simply never was a Christian? Do the same folks think Paul was unaware that Demas was ‘faking’ his conversion and walk with God? I think that, even with poor eyesight, the apostle Paul could have spotted a fake a mile away.

[MHGinTN]

What do you make of 1 Cor 5?

[metmom]

Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects the one who sent me. Luke 10

And the words *Catholic church* show up just where in Scripture?

[daniel1212]

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

This being how one appropriates acceptance in the Beloved, on His account (thank God) then logically if one departs from the faith, from the living God, and makes Christ of no effect, of no profit which we are warned against, then he would be forfeiting what faith appropriated.

[Zuriel]

That appears to be about a member that was trying to “serve two masters”, while still being involved in the local assembly.

Demas left Paul, having loved this present world. Gone. Adios. Ou revour (sp).

What do you think of Heb. 11:20-22?

[Zuriel]

The spirit of lukewarmness is the state of the Laodician church (not people in the world; people in that church). The Lord says he will spew them out of his mouth.

Would you care to interpret that, please?

[af_vet_1981]

The inheritance is safe; the only way to inherit it is to overcome. The Messiah defines what overcome means.


1. The Apostle Peter warned the saints against misinterpreting the Apostle Paul and falling.
   
   Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
   
   
2. The same Apostle who wrote to the saints at Ephesus wrote to the saints at Rome, warning them that they could be cut off if they did not continue in God's goodness (persevere).
   
   For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
   
   
3. The Messiah Himself spoke to the church of Ephesus that they must repent from where they have fallen and do the first works.
   
   Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Second Peter, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verses eleven to eighteen ,

Romans, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verses thirteen to twenty two,

Revelation, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses one to seven,


as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[MHGinTN]

Perhaps you would be more specific? Hebrews 11 is the great ‘by faith’ Chapter ...

[Zuriel]

Oops. Romans. (I was reading in Hebrews before replying to you.)

[MHGinTN]

22 Consider, then, the kindness and severity of God: his severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness toward you—if you continue receiving his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. 23 If the Jewsn do not persist in their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, because God is able to graft them in. 24 After all, if you were cut off from what is naturally a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier it will be for these natural branches to be grafted back into their own olive tree! (Rom 11:22-24) Sounds very much like what Jesus cautioned the bodies of believers in Rev 2&3 ... I would not argue with The Lord Christ. That Romans warning ‘the severity of GOD’ ought give every Christian pause, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

[Iscool]

Scripture teaches that one’s final salvation depends on the state of the soul at death. As Jesus himself tells us, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13; cf. 25:31–46)

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The end of what??? Do you know the context...Do you even know what they are talking about??? I'd say not...

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

This isn't about enduring to the end of one's life...It's about enduring for a period of time...And that time is the Great Tribulation...It has nothing to do about losing salvation...It's about people saving their lives if they make it thru the tribulation...

[Iscool]

Every Christian believes that Jesus Christ established and sustains a community of faith, hope and love for all believers. This community we call His Church. The Church that Christ founded is the Catholic Church which has a formal earthly structure established by Christ and which continues under His authority and protection.

Jesus told the apostle Paul to tell us to call no man father...He told Paul to warn us about religious looking people who wore long robes...Jesus told Paul to tell us that the leaders in the church must be married with a house full of kids...

He not only told us that, he told you Catholics that as well...