Salvation Lost?

Hi, soulsisterclaire:

From time to time, many Christians still have doubts about their salvation. At one point in time, I did, too. However, this is what Scripture says on the subject:

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our ingeritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:13,14)

It is my belief that God has promised us in His Word that we belong to Him forever, that nothing can take us from Him once we're saved.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom. 8:38,39

When we backslide, we will feel aloof from God because of sin. And because the flesh is still with us, harnessing sin will always be a struggle. However, if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive us and enter back into fellowship with Him.

J.I. Packer's book, "Knowing God" was a big help in understanding God's attributes and getting to know Him better. When we get to know God more personally, we'll have a better perspective of who we are in Christ. How we apply God's Word to our lives depends primarily upon our spiritual growth. And spiritual growth comes when we study God's Word to know Him better. I hope I'm explaining myself clearly.

Blessings to you,

Pat

Yes, the article was a good read. For those who want to exercise your intellect, a Bible study on the differences between Arminian vs. Calvinist view of losing one's salvation would be time well spent. A long time ago, my hubby took one side and I took the other as we studied the Bible on this issue. We learned a lot and had fun at the same time.

It is possible to sin and backslide, however you won't lose your salvation in doing this. When you are a born again Christian, a new creation in God, you have a new relationship with God. One that can never be broken. What you can break, is your fellowship with God. You may not be speaking to Him, and not hearing Him, but you are still related to him. Thus your salvation remains intact, but your communication with Him has been broken.

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Rainbow, Welcome.

The book of Hebrews is a letter written to the Jews, who at that point were being persecuted and some were seeking to go back to the law. Jesus was the only sacrifice that never has or had to be repeated, where as under the law, sacrifices had to be performed regularly.
Also Esau wept about what he didn't get and not over what he had done. Esau didn't care about spiritual things and was not repentant. The fact that we feel broken or contrite when we sin testifies that we are Holy Spirit indwelt children of God.

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Faith in Christ is not belief without proof, it is trust without reservation.
I have found no greater joy, than to live totally surrendered to Jesus Christ.

I agree. I believe when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we must also make Him our Lord.

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Faith in Christ is not belief without proof, it is trust without reservation.
I have found no greater joy, than to live totally surrendered to Jesus Christ.

So, is it possible that one could pray to be saved, not really recieve Him as Lord, and then lose that "salvation", thus 'once saved always saved' would not be true, until we accept Him as Lord? You know, believe one is saved, but not really be? I am not saying this is how it is, I am feeling out things, so, give me what you got.

Hi, mammasan ~ it is my belief that once a person is saved, he cannot lose his salvation. (Eph. 1:13, 14) Mere words do not save anyone even if it's the "right" words. This is what Christ said to those who thought they belonged to Him:

Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?

And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Matt. 7:21-23


If a person merely says the prayer of salvation but does not have a heart transformation, he was not saved in the first place. Only God knows at this point because He can see the heart.

Blessings,

Pat

You're absolutely correct. A heart change (transformation) takes place when a person is saved. Therefore, his life reflects the love, commitment, and obedience to the Word of God that is the mark of every believer.

Hi, Ed ~ yes, this thread could have been placed in the Bible Study or Apologetics forums, but there are some new Christians that do have questions about eternal security. It's that old saying, "six of one, half a dozen of the other." Hopefully, some of the doubts can be answered here.

Blessings,

Pat

I agree, Mammasan. There are new Christians that have just this type of question going around their minds and it can be unsettling not knowing the truth of the issue. Many years ago, I struggled with this question myself, so I empathize with those that are "in the same boat."

Glad to help out!

I am so glad that God restores us when we confess and repent. Prayer, reading and studying the Bible, and fellowship with other believers are essential for spiritual growth.

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Faith in Christ is not belief without proof, it is trust without reservation.
I have found no greater joy, than to live totally surrendered to Jesus Christ.