Hello dear brothers and sisters in Christ, My question is; is it possible for a person to lose his or her salvation? I was leaning on the idea that it could not however could not find a verse in scripture to support my claim. In fact i found a scripture that suggested that it [b]is[/b] possible to lose salvation. John 15:6 "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." (NIV)I am aware that this may have been discussed earlier. However searching through the forum i could not find it. It would be most appreciated if you could shed some truth into the question. Thank you for your time.
_________________Daryl Yeo
Hi Daryl,Excellent question that should bring about some interesting dialouge.My take is: Yes and no.I think that the parable of the sowers (Matt 13) is really instrumental as it applies to this.Following along with the words of our Lord throughout scripture it is very possible to have been decieved as to be true follower. For instance;[i]"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."[/i]Mat 7:21-27So in a nutshell, yes, if you have are not truely saved. Too many warnings about guarding yourself against a false assurance;[i]"Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate."[/i]2Co 13:5But absolutely not if you are a true disciple:[i]"So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are really my disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."[/i]Joh 8:31,32 [i]"My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."[/i]Joh 10:27,28Much more could be said...Edit: This thought came:If you have never been found, you are lostIf you have been found, you cannot be lost[i]"So Jesus said to the twelve, "You don't want to leave, too, do you?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. Besides, [b]we have believed and remain convinced[/b] that you are the Holy One of God."[/i]Joh 6:67-69
_________________Mike Balog
This is such a devisive topic among Christians these days, I cringe whenever I hear those words. Therefore I will let others debate this issue but I just want to say this, assurance of salvation does not come from the lips of men, it only comes from the Holy Spirit. In Christ,Ron
_________________Ron Halverson
I'm with Ron on this one. It's an in-house debate that causes more trouble than it's worth most of the time. I will say there are extremes to both sides of the issue. I have a friend who has at times cursed God for matters as small as a girl breaking up with him, and basically lives in sin. But he goes to the extreme in saying that since he has believed in Christ, he cannot be lost no matter what. Then I have some other friends who believe that if you make the slightest slip you are immediately lost and you had better repent.We should judge ourselves in this matter. Does the Spirit of God witness to our spirits that we belong to Him? That should be the question we ask ourselves.In Christ,Jeremy Hulsey
_________________Jeremy Hulsey
I was once praying about this issue when I sensed these words in my heart: "Hold on to the promises; head the warnings" There are great promises of assurance of salvation to those who believe but also some severe warnings about falling away. We must treat each equally, and preachers must preach both as well. I definitely see problems with going to either extreme. There must be balance; we must preach the whole counsel of God. "The man who fears God will avoid all extremes." (Ecclesiastes 7:18) I think many churches get caught up in there own doctrines and neglect to preach the whole Word of God. -Jake Kail
_________________Jake Kail
There's some very wise counsel on this topic.I would simply add the following from Hebrews 12:8 (AMP) "Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]."So if one is not really saved and strays, will God not discipline him if he is one of his children? Believe me, God disciplines (chastens) and I don't believe it's God's first choice but because of our rebellious hearts, He has no choice. I would suggest reading all of the 12th Chapter of Hebrews as well.Because I know my Father will discipline me if I get out of line, I don't really even think about the question you raised much anymore. But I wrestled with this question for at least 30 years because of a number of things, so I pray that God will give you wisdom.
_________________Ed Pugh
It all depends on your definitions of'once''saved'and 'always' :-P
_________________Ron Bailey
This is a touchy topic, and one I'm not dogmatic on, but I'd like to share some Scripture that helped me see past my former presuppositions on the matter. Please be patient and understanding, and I pray the Lord will have me be likewise.
My question is; is it possible for a person to lose his or her salvation?
If God will save you today, knowing that you will be lost tomorrow, then he can't be God in my view.As it is written in (KJV) about Jacob & Esau below+++++++++++++++++ROMANS 9:11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) ROMANS 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. ROMANS 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. ROMANS 9:14 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid. ROMANS 9:16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. +++++++++++++++++It is by election that one is saved. And by Grace that one is able to live Godly. IT IS NOT OF WORKS, BUT BY GRACE. AND IF SAVED, YOU WILL LIVE GODLY. IF YOU CAN"T LIVE GODLY (YES WE MAKE MISTAKES) ...For the life that we live as Paul says is Christ (Holy Ghost) living in me.Also in ROMANS 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ROMANS 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. You can't talk about eternal security without eection, predestination, foreknowledge, grace, and the Power of God to change man ..Yes ONCE SAVED, IT is IMPOSSIBLE to be lost .. as it says in HEBREWS 6:4 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, HEBREWS 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
_________________John Williams