Can you lose your salvation?

Question

Several atheist here have said that they are ex-christians. I am wondering if they know that if they had ever placed their faith in Christ and what He did for them on the cross, then they are sealed and can never lose that standing? Or do you mean that you use to go to church and because of that you call yourself a christian.

Answer 1

I was "saved" once.

I'm not now.

And I wouldn't want to go to heaven even if that little loophole DID exist.

(And YES, I really was a Christian, I didn't "just go to church". Don't presume that you know anything about me.)

Answer 2

Can a Believer "Lose" His Salvation?

Or Stated More Accurately, Can He Forfeit It?


"Has God indeed said...Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away."? (Luke 8:13)

the scripture clearly teaches BOTH the sovereignty of God AND the free will of men. To deny this is irrational, and must be caused by something other than reason based on scriptural precepts.

The scriptural position is that a person who is saved can forfeit that salvation. The bible teaches those at highest risk of forfeiting their salvation are those who are newly saved, and those who continue on in known disobedience, after being born again.

The elect are those whom God chose, whom God foresaw would both trust in His Son AND who would endure or persevere in the faith given them until the end of their physical life, or the return of Jesus.

Those whose hearts are seeking the Lord with all that is in them, should have no concern about "losing" their salvation. Nor should they have any concern about forfeiting their salvation.

Salvation cannot be lost, but it can be forfeited - this is the nature of covenants in the bible. The bible no where guarantee's someone that salvation once received cannot be turned away from or forfeited by the individual that possesses it.

Receiving salvation involves man's will, and not works. Forfeiting salvation involves man's will, and not works. In the same way the Lord did not force His salvation on anyone, He neither forces anyone to remain in the covenant

Answer 3

No a believer cannot gain salvation and then lose it. Sinning will not make a person lose thier salvation. Believers still sin because we are still human. The difference between believers and non believers is that we have grace and have been forgiven. God doesn't write your name in the Book of Life in pencil just to erase it every time you mess up (sin). It's written in permanently with the blood of Jesus. If we can lose our salvation that means that Jesus perfect life, sacrifice and resurrection was not good enough. And if that's true then our life is pointless.

It's called Perserverance of the Saints. It means this: All who were chosen by God, redeemed by Christ and given faith by the Holy Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end. Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance therey causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus GOD not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.

This doctrine does not maintain that all who profess the Christian faith are certain of heaven. It is the saints-those who are set apart by the Spirit-who persevere to the end. It is believers-those who are given true living faith in Christ-who are secure and safe in him. Many who profess to believe fall away, but the do not fall from grace for they were never in grace. True believers do fall into temptations, and they do commit grievous sins, but these sins do not cuase them to lose their salvation or seperate them from Christ.

Source(s):
David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas

Romans 8:38-39
John 10:28-29
Hebrews 9:26-28

Answer 4

I believe so. Salvation isn't a destination, it is a journey.

There are those, however, that claim if you do lose your salvation you were never really saved in the first place because NOTHING can take you from the hands of Jesus once you put yourself there.

Answer 5

Yes.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:22 & 24:13 that the one who endures to the end WILL BE saved.

That indicates that a saved person who fails to endure to the end will not be saved; that is, they will "lose their salvation."

Also see Hebrews 6:4-6 & 2 Peter 2:20, 21.

Answer 6

Yes you can . The once saved always saved is false doctrine ACCORDING TO GOD'S OWN WORDS FOUND IN 2 Peter 2:20,21,22

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING...
FOR IT HAD BEEN BETTER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAN, AFTER THEY HAVE KNOWN IT TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT DELIVERED UNTO THEM.

That is why we must be strong and faithful and resist the devil so that we are not tempted by our own lusts and drawn away from GOD. James 4:7,8

We are saved as long as we abide with Christ and stay obedient and faithful until death.

Christian in PA

Answer 7

Not only can you lose salvation, but it's possible to permanently lose it.

From Mark 3:29:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

It's rare for someone to be an ex-Christian without blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Denying it exists is a pretty good example of blasphemy.

So, an ex-Christian is almost guaranteed to not be saved.

Answer 8

You can't lose your salvation like you lose a pair of keys. But like the prodigal son you can walk away from your heavenly Father.

Answer 9

Yes, u can lose ur salvation, things that u did before going to Christ like worldly things. thats the way u lose if u turn ur back on the Lord and walk away, and forget everything he did for YOU and his word.

Answer 10

Yeah, it's called apostasy and the "unforgivable sin", to have full knowledge of Jesus, etc... and reject him.

P.S. Do not assume that all Ex-Christians are Atheists! I am an Ex-Christian, but I am an Asatruar now.

Answer 11

That has been debated for generations.
I prefer to err on the side of caution...I believe you can. Consider what is stated in Hebrews 6:4-6.