Let's Go Back to the Bible

Salvation God’s Way—Can a Christian Lose His Salvation?

As we conclude this series on this most fundamental and important of all subjects—salvation—let us turn our attention fully to the Word of God.  While some have claimed over the years that once you’re saved, you’re always saved, what does Scripture teach?  Can a Christian, once saved by the grace of God, live in such a way as to forfeit his salvation?

Scripture affirms that a Christian can “fall.” Paul warned Christians about a “falling away” (2 Thess. 2:3), and the Hebrews writer clearly pictured ones who have been saved “and then have fallen away” (Heb. 6:6).  The word “lest” is used multiple times with the word “fall” to express fear or caution if the prescribed action is not followed:  “take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12); “be diligent…lest anyone fall” (Heb. 4:11); “looking carefully lest anyone fall” (Heb. 12:15); “beware lest you also fall” (2 Pet. 3:17).  Paul warned about putting “a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13), and he also warned that unqualified elders could “fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6-7).  A Christian can fall!

Scripture affirms that a Christian can “stumble.” Jesus spoke of one who hears and receives the word, but with “no root in himself…he stumbles” (Matt. 13:20-21).  Paul warned of putting a “stumbling block” or doing anything that “makes my brother stumble” (1 Cor. 8:9, 13; cf. Rom. 14:13, 21).  Peter detailed the proper steps for Christian growth and said, “if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:5-10).  Would one stumble if he did not “do these things”?  Our Lord is able to keep us “from stumbling” (Jude 24).  A Christian can stumble!

Scripture affirms that a Christian can “turn.” Paul warned that some would “turn their ears away from the truth” (2 Tim. 4:4; cf. Heb. 12:25).  Paul rebuked the Galatian brethren for “turning away…from Him” (Gal. 1:6; cf. 4:9).  Peter spoke of those Christians who “turn from the holy commandment delivered to them,” like “a dog returns to his own vomit” (2 Pet. 2:20-22).  A Christian can turn!

Scripture affirms that a Christian can “depart,” “wander,” be “drawn away” and need to “repent.” Read 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:12; James 5:19-20; Acts 20:29-30; Hebrews 10:38-39; Acts 8:22; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19.  A Christian can lose his salvation!

Let’s go back to the Bible and find God’s way!