Once Saved: Always Saved?

© 07-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

Can I lose my salvation

This is the oldest chestnut of all, and the most tiresome. When you find yourself fussing over this topic, it's a sure sign you're wandering away from your primary purpose on Earth.

Preachers are asked this question frequently, and whatever we reply, it causes controversy. That is why you must read this whole page to get a proper scriptural understanding, and ask the Lord to show you what it means.

Personally, I like Rev. Colin Urquhart's answer; when asked if a believer can lose their salvation, he responded with a deep sigh in exasperation,

God doesn't even think like that!

And neither does a believer, just make-believers and doubters. This page is posted to help strugglers, not as an invitation to doctrinal debate. Believers! Be busy about Father's business. (Jn. 9:4, Lk. 19:13)

Can believers be lost?

Q: Can a believer lose their salvation? Tina

A: A believer, no Tina; but remember a doubter isn't saved in the first place. Jn. 3:16-18.

Eternally saved

Q: I grew up believing in the eternal salvation of the believer, is that correct?

A: Yes, believers are eternally secure in Christ, through His finished Sacrifice on their behalf. He saves them by grace alone, no work involved by the sinner. Believers are completely secure in Christ: Eternally saved. Isn't this Good News? Hallelujah!

Rejecting Christ

Q: Can a Christian, a saved person, ever lose their salvation?

A: Lose, no; reject, yes. Hebrews chapters 6 and 10 make it perfectly clear that there are some people who, after having once known Christ, consciously choose to reject Him as Lord, and reject His salvation. This is not a believer losing their salvation, but a believer choosing to stop believing, and rejecting salvation.

Prayer Study course

There are certain very specific conditions that must be met before this occurs, and it is very rare. Ken Hagin's Prayer Study course is very good on this, read it if you need to know more.

Don't let these passages in Hebrews disturb you unnecessarily. They are talking about a believer who has had a miracle working ministry, and yet has subsequently deliberately chosen to reject the divinity and Lordship of Christ. (Heb. 6:5, 10:29). We are told in 1 Jn. 5:16b, not to even pray for such people, since it is impossible for them to be brought back to repentance. Heb. 6:4-6.

Note: This does not contradict the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer, because these people are choosing not to be believers, they are rejecting the faith, and Christ. So He rejects them at the Judgment, just like He warned in Mtt. 10:32-33.

All grace, no works

Q: Is repentance 'a work', or a requirement?

A: The only repentance that saves, is repentance from unbelief in Christ as LORD and Saviour. Repentance from unbelief in Christ is not a work. Believing is not a work, it is a basic fact of redemption. Salvation comes at that point.

Then, once you have been saved, you will repent from all the other sins, because you love Him, and have His power over sin. Before you were saved, you could not repent from other sins, because you didn't have the ability. Isn't this simply wonderful?

Lukewarm churches

Q: Rev. 3:16, John refers to lukewarm believers being spit from God's mouth; what does this mean?

A: Understand that is God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ speaking through John. Don't miss the sequence. Start at Rev. 1:1; Father gives the Revelation to Christ, the resurrected Christ. Jesus made it known by sending His angel to John. John passed it to us. Notice Rev. 3:14, John is not the Amen, or ruler of God's creation: Christ is.

What did Jesus mean? Exactly what He said. Don't you love it? Like Him, I can't stand half-baked fellowships either. If yours is lukewarm, or already spat out, go and find one where the Lord is working. The End is very close.