The question of whether or not it’s possible to lose one’s salvation has been around a long time. I’ve leaned toward the side that agrees it is possible. I really don’t know for sure though. Perhaps some of you can help me out here.
So here’s a question for you: Do we still have our own free will after we turn our lives over to Christ? In other words, if we are saved, do we then have the choice to commit sin of any kind and still get to spend eternity with Jesus Christ when we die?
I really believe if you truly turn your life over to Christ, allowing Him to be your Lord, you will want to strive toward being a stronger Christian. Many believe that once you’ve accepted the gift of salvation, you can’t lose it because of what Jesus tells us in John 10:28-29, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone 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.” I have heard this is talking about those choosing to stay in Christ. Many will still say that if you are truly saved, you would not desire to completely reject God. Can you make the choice after receiving the Lord, to reject Him? I have always believed you could but can’t imagine anyone wanting to do that.
Now I’ll visit the other side to this debate. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20). My understanding is “brethren” is referred to us a believers, “the truth” refers to the gospel of Christ, and “death” refers to eternal separation from God. I learn from this scripture that if we help turn another believer from sin, we are saving their soul from death.
Hebrews 6:4-6 additionally shows us, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” What does this mean to you?
Regardless of what you might believe, I think we all can agree on the importance of growing in our faith. Even if we can’t loose our salvation, certainly Satan does not want us effective for God. I invite you to post your opinions on Families.com’s “Christian-Evangelical Families forum”. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
All scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.