If salvation is a free gift, then how come you can lose it?

Question

And why is it so difficult to maintain?

And since you can lose it, how do you know when you even have it? Is there some measure of works (or something else) that keeps you saved?

Answer 1

You can't, if you turn away you were not savesd to begin with. If your salvation is real ypu will change your behavior to reflect it.

Answer 2

If you are truly saved then you know, you know because you will spend time in the word, learning by the teachings of Christ. It is a free gift that we can't earn. Christ said, "No Greater Loves has a man than he lay down his life for a freind." He proved that at the Cross. Paul said, It is by God's Grace through our Faith that we are saved, and not by the works of our own hands the we might boast. Salvation if true can't be lost because the actions of your faith will take over. The Love of Christ (not hate) will flow from you and people will see it in your actions.
All to often Christians hold a measuring stick up and tell those who don't believe that they don't measure up. Well those that don't believe have taken that same measuring stick and turned it around and found that Christians don't measure up either. Guess what, they are right. The difference is, if your salvation is real then you have been forgiven. You don't have to shout, "Look at me I'm a Christian!" No not at all by your actions the world will know.

If salvation is lost then it means the person never was truly saved to begin with. Too many Christians use the law to judge but are condemned by the same law. They drive people away because they truly don't understand what Jesus taught. It is not Thou Shalt Not, but love as Jesus loved. Teach the ways of Jesus' love, to love even your enemy.

If you are truly saved then these things you will want to do and your salvation is true. But if you have to ask then are you really sure? Read first the Gospel of John then the other 3 gospels. Then read Acts and Romans. They will change the way you look at being a Christian.

It is not about condemning others, it is about reaching out in love. Teaching what Jesus did and using that as the model to try and live by. Perfection is over rated but Grace is aboundant. It is Grace that we as Christians are suppose to live by because it isn't hard to live by, but perfection is hard and I can't ever live up to that.

Dead Man Walking

Answer 3

You can't lose your salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states that Salvation is not earned therefore it is not something to maintain.

People who are saved are sealed with the Holy Spirit to be their mentor and teacher amongst things. That seal can not be broken. People need to take the time to read their Bibles and get to know what they believe. Granted, there are a few denominations that teach otherwise... but I find those opinions questionable in that they do not believe everything written in the Bible and tend to pull stuff out of context.

A good book on the subject is "Eternal Security" by Dr. Charles Stanley.

Answer 4

Salvation is a free gift, and you cannot lost it. people be lieve that if you do something terrible you will lose it, but if you truly have salvation and are a Christian, then you would not desire to do anything bad in the first place. But say you did do something terrible, you still won't lose your salvation, you will just disappoint God. Also, it is difficult to be a Christian to some people because they do not want to let go of their worldy things and they are afraid of being embarassed for being a Christian. When living in this world their are many sins and not many rules, so when you are striving to do your best to do as little sins as possible, and following rules, it is difficult and many people give up. But, true Christians would trust in the Lord to help them let go or worldy things and to be the best Christian they can be.

If you need any more help, I would recommend speaking to your Pastor. If you are embarassed, you can call or meet with him privately.

Also, my Bible teacher always told me that to be saved it is very simple. You must REPENT and BELIEVE.

Answer 5

Its a free gift because you, yourself do not have to die for you sins. Jesus already did that! And you cant lose it....you just never had it! All you have to do to maintain it is just pray to God to change your heart and surrender your life to him! Try with an honest heart to please him....we are human and of course we will mess up and sin....but asking for repentance(note: forgiveness and repentance are different...forgiveness is just saying....to forgive. But repentance is when you say sorry, ask for forgiveness and say that you are going to make an honest attempt to not do it again!) But you cant do it on your own! So thats what God is here for...he will help you through it! He knows what is in your heart! The way to tell that you have salvation is by the Holy Spirit...if you have the Spirit..you have Christ!

Answer 6

The bible says (sorry for being preach-y..but this is the most direct answer, from a Christian perspective that is..) that salvation comes from believing and confessing that Jesus Christ is son of God AND God himself. It is a free gift... because all you have to do is accept and believe it (and say thank you ! he he). You cannot lose your salvation once you've accepted it. There is nothing in the bible that says you will lose your salvation.
It is however, a choice... YOUR choice, whether to accept it in the first place... or reject it (now or later).

Answer 7

You cannot lose salvation. God said "And I give eternal life to you, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28). I tend to count God as someone, so not even He will take it away from you.

What you CAN lose is the filling of the Holy Spirit (at which point you are in a state of carnality, or sin). The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and makes it understandable to us. To regain the filling of the Holy Spirit, you name your sins to God the Father: "For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to purify us from all wrong-doing." (1 John 1:9).

You CAN commit sins (not saying you SHOULD) and still be saved. If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitute for you, and rose again 3 days later, you WILL go to Heaven when you die (or when the Rapture of the Church occurs, whichever comes first).

Answer 8

Even a free gift can be thrown away or put down and walked away from...

As far as difficulty? I see none. I find living for Jesus more rewarding, healthier, joyful, peaceful, etc....

Satan lies to and blinds people into believing the most unhealthiest lifestyles are "fun"... but when you really LOOK at society, all that "fun" leads to broken lives, broken homes and families, and miserable people with really bad health...

For a more logical and humorous look at this watch "Bill Cosby ~ 49"...you'll laugh your butt off, but really listen to what he's saying...

Answer 9

I don't believe that it can be lost. I believe once saved always saved, that is if you are truely saved from the beginning and by that I mean that you are sincerely sorry for your sins and want to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. some religions do believe that it can be lost though.

Answer 10

Jesus reedemed us, he did not save us. Only God's grace can save us. You earn this grace by faith and works. You keep the faith your whole life and you work by following the commandments, through love, and being charitable. No one ever knows they are saved until they die and recieve judgement. You will not be saved if a person sins, does not repent, and does not follow or love God.

Answer 11

Who said you can lose it? And I can see how it would be difficult to maintain being perfect. But who asked us to?
I'm not sure where your information is coming from, but you might want to re-check it.