Monday, May 25, 2015

Can a Christian Lose Salvation?

The vital importance of this question is only second to one other:  "What must I do to be saved?"  But having experienced salvation, the importance of the question of one’s eternal destiny cannot be overstated.  The position held by some that says one cannot lose his or her salvation is said by others to promote a license or excuse to sin.  In a similar manner, the position which some hold that says one can lose his or her salvation leads to uncertainty in the spiritual life.  It focuses on the necessity of human efforts to prevent its loss.  What does the Bible have to say about this important question?

Near the end of his first epistle, the Apostle John states:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the 
Son of God,  that you may know that you have eternal life…  (1 John 5.13)1

It was clear in the Apostle’s mind that one can know he or she is saved.  Perhaps John had the words of Jesus in mind which he (John) recorded in his gospel account.  In John 10, Jesus makes a detailed and definitive statement about his sheep, those who belong to Him through faith.  Speaking to religious Jews of His day who did not possess life-giving faith, Jesus said:

 "…you do not believe because you are not of My sheep…”  (John 10.26)

While these religious leaders were members of the family of God in name, they did not truly belong to God.  Their faith was a faith of words rather than reality.  Jesus then addresses those who possess the reality of saving faith: 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I
 give  them eternal life, and they shall never perish...”   (John 10.27-28a) 

Those who are saved have been given eternal life.  Jesus uses a very emphatic double negative in the Greek language which can literally be translated, “They shall not, repeat, shall not ever perish in the slightest.”2 Jesus states this same truth emphatically in a number of ways as opposed to a conditional promise of salvation.  In John 8.51-52 Jesus says the same thing from a negative perspective – “…shall never see death…shall never taste death…”  And it John 11.27, “…shall never die.”  Jesus’ own strong words preclude any conditions upon salvation.

Back again in John 10, Jesus says, "No one can...

...snatch them out of My hand.   My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater 
than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.”  (John 10.28-29)

The picture Jesus gives us of the person who is saved is one in which the saved person is safely held in the hands of Jesus with no one able to take them out.  Further, the hands of Jesus are surrounded by the hands of God the Father with no one able to take them out of the Father’s hands either.  Concerning these verses, Dr. Vance Havner, the famed country preacher said, “That’s what’s called having the situation well in hand.”

The Apostle Paul’s teaching clearly emphasized this “eternally safe” description of the future for Christians:

“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our
 life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  (Colossians 3.3-4).

To the power of Jesus Christ and God the Father, Paul also adds the power of the Holy Spirit:

“…you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”  (Ephesians 1.13)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you
 were sealed for the day of redemption.”  (Ephesians 4.30)

The eternal security of the believer is kept intact by the power of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

One key point to remember is summoned by the question, “How does a person get salvation in the first place?  Where is its source?”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; 
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”   (Ephesians 2.8-9)

The Bible makes it clear that salvation is a gift of God; further we could not save ourselves if we wanted to do so:

“You were dead in your trespasses and sins … but have 
been made alive together with Christ.”  (Ephesians 2.1, 5)

As in the physical life, so in the spiritual life:  those who are dead are not capable of doing any thing.  And finally, Paul says that he is confident that,

“He who has begun a good work in you will complete 
it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1.6)

Salvation is a gift initiated by God.  It is a position kept safe by the Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit.  And it shall be carried to completion all the way until the day when Christ shall consummate the end of the age.

Notes:

1.   Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.   Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, TN.  1999.
2.  Erickson, Millard J.  Christian Theology.  Baker Books: Grand Rapids, MI.  1985.


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