Can a person lose their salvation? I heard once saved always saved?

Answer 1

Some people conclude that since we can have eternal salvation, then once we are "saved" we cannot be lost. This is true after we die and face the judgement (once we go to heaven, we will always be in heaven.), but what about while we still live on Earth?

If “eternal” in “eternal salvation” means “once saved, always saved”, then “once lost, always lost” is also valid. A person who is lost is “eternally lost”

All who are “eternally saved” were in a state of being “eternally lost” before they were saved.
If either “eternal” state can be altered, then both can.

A person can be “eternally saved”.
It is accurate to refer to a saved person as an “eternally saved” person.
It is just as accurate to call a lost person an “eternally lost” person.

We need not stoop to changing the scope of the word “eternal” to fit our own desires.

A person who is “eternally lost” has the OPTION to become “eternally saved”. 2 Peter 3:9 God does not wish for any to perish… all come to repentance.

A person who is “eternally saved” must, therefore, have the OPTION to change his mind also. Otherwise why all of the verses that warn Christians about growing weary (Hebrews 12:1-5), being deceived (1 John 2:26), influence of bad company (1 Corinthians 15:33), about deceiving yourself (1 John 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:18), about growing faint (Luke 18:1, Gal. 6:9), about wolves that enter the flock to draw away disciples (Acts 20:28-30), about being “spoil(ed)” by false philosophy (Col. 2:8), about being “puffed up with pride” (1 Tim. 3:6), etc.

If this is not true: An unsaved person has free will (the option to come to Christ), but a saved person does not have free will (the option to change his mind).

Both the saved and unsaved states are eternal in destination, but we can determine which “eternal” path we wish to travel as long as we live on earth (and as long as we have the mental ability to make choices).

We are on one of only two possible paths. (Matt 7:13-14) Each “way” has an everlasting destination.

We can be sure of our salvation: (1 John 5:13)
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. “

We can know our condition, by an examination of “these things… written” in the scriptures.


(1 John 1:7)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

We can know our condition, by knowing where we are walking.

It says, “If”. But what if we don’t?

The word “if” implies there is another option.

If we walk in the light (as long as we walk in the light), we have fellowship and cleansing.

If we stop walking in the light, we have stepped out of fellowship with other believers and we have stepped away from the cleansing blood.

Of those in favor of the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, most argue that no one or nothing can take us away from God and His love and that God will never forsake us. This argument focuses on the idea of something (someone) else taking us away from God, but it does not address the idea that we can choose whom we will serve. We can choose the path we take. God will never forsake us, but men often forsake God and, therefore, men forsake the only source of eternal salvation.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the son was the child of the father. The son left the protection and benefits of being a son to follow his own way. The father did not leave the son, but the son left the father. The father continued to love the son, but this did not prevent them from being separated. When we follow our own way, we can separate ourselves from God.

While the son was gone, the father considered his condition to be “lost” and “dead” (Luke 15: 32). His being a son did not prevent him from becoming “lost” and “dead”, but this was caused by his own decision to leave the father. This condition remained until “he came to himself” and decided to return. If we are separated from the Father, it is because we choose to follow someone or something else. It is not because we were forced away. God asks for our love, but God allows us to choose.

We cannot be separated from God’s love. God loves the whole world (John 3:16)! But even though God loves all, all will not be saved. Those who will be saved must come to him in faith and obedience.

Answer 2

There are two things that can occur that will cost a person their eternity in Heaven.

1. The Sin unto Death

2. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

One of these is committed by a person that is never saved, and the other by a person that was saved that has changed their mind and totally rejected the salvation message.

There is not a second chance if you have breached these. But, the thing is that you would not want one. So, if you have doubts about your salvation, and you still want to repent, you can do so.

But lets say Billy Graham were to wake up tomorrow and proclaim that it were all a lie. If he gets to the point of believing it in his heart to the point of bitterness, then he could commit one of the above and lose his salvation.

Judas did this. He was as close to Jesus as a person could get and then rejected him.

Peter, however, repented and was saved.

Answer 3

We are branches of the vine - the vine being Christ. If we do not stay in Him who is life, then we die (spiritual death). We cannot live outside of Him spiritually. So yes you can lose your salvation. But if you are worried about daily weaknesses of the flesh - the Word says we have an advocate with the Father and are washed by the Word. Just ask God to cleanse you by Christ's blood and renew the Word in you each day and you have nothing to worry about. But if you live constantly on the edge of your relationship with Christ - ignoring Him, not communicating with Him, staying out of His Word etc, then you are in danger of losing your salvation. You cannot live like the devil in a walk of disobedience and expect to get in the gates of heaven - it just won't happen. The Word says Christ IN you, the hope of glory. And Paul told the Galatians's that Christ needed to be formed in them AGAIN. Again implies something was there, then missing, and needed to come back. Do not base your salvation on the doctrine of once saved always saved - you might just miss heaven that way.

Answer 4

Time and again Paul likens the Christian’s course to a “race” that must be run to the finish. “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” he urged the Hebrews. (12:1, AV) To enter the race, sinners must take the steps necessary for salvation: hearing and accepting the Word of God, believing in Jesus Christ and his ransom sacrifice, repenting of their sins and being baptized. In this way, they get saved “from this crooked generation,” as Peter exhorted those gathered at Pentecost. Unbelievers are outside the race, having failed to enter by getting “saved.”Acts 2:37-40.

Once entered in the race by being “saved,” a Christian takes “hold of the life which is life indeed.” But is it possible to lose that grip on life? Paul answers with this question: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?” In the Christian race, Paul indicates the “one” who receives the prize is anyone who finishes the race. Therefore, Paul urges, “So run that you may obtain it.” Then, using himself as an example to make the point of his illustration, he continues: “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Tim. 6:19.

Evidently the apostle, who surely was a “saved” Christian, believed that even he could be “disqualified” from the race. Yet as long as he continued to ‘run that he might obtain’ the prize, thus remaining in the race, salvation was assured. This is why Christians who remain in the race can be said to ‘have everlasting life.’ But if they should ever quit the race, they are “disqualified,” losing their hold on everlasting life.

Answer 5

I believe that once a person exercises saving faith in Jesus Christ, he or she is forever in the family of God. God never kicks anyone our of his forever family. A number of Scripture passages support this view. For example, in 1 Corinthians 12:13 we are told that at the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit places us in the body of Christ. Once we are infused into the body of Christ, we are never excised from the body. In fact, Ephesians 1:12 and 4:30 indicate that at the moment of believing in Jesus Christ for salvation, we are permanently "sealed" by the Holy Spirit. At that point, we are God's everlasting property. That seal guarantees that we'll make it to heaven.
Moreover, we read in John 10:28-30 that it is the Father's purpose to keep us secure despite anything that might happen once we have trusted in Christ. Nothing can snatch us out of His hands. God's plans cannot be thwarted (Isaiah 14:24). Further, Romans 8:29-30 portrays an unbroken chain that spans from the predestination of believers to their glorification in heaven.
Another fact we need to keep in mind is that Christ regularly prays for each Christian (Hewbews 7:25). With Jesus interceding for us, we are sucure. (His prayers are always answered!)
Of course, the fact that a believer is secure in his salvation does not mean he is free to sin. If the Christian sins and remains in that sin, Scripture says that God will discipline him or her just as a father disciplines his children (see Hebrews 12:7-11).
Source(s):
The Complete Book of Bible Answers by Ron Rhodes

Answer 6

There is a belief that once you are saved no one can pluck you from God's hand. Some Christians believe that if you truly know God you can never go back.

I believe the fallacy in this view comes from forgetting free will. You always have the choice in Christianity. And it is your choice.

Unfortunately most believe that if you have left the faith you never really had a relationship with God and Jesus to begin with. This is an errant and even insulting view. To even begin to try and gauage a person's relationship with God - which is personal and cannot be felt by another - is to say you know that person's will better then they do.

Answer 7

Consider these passages.

"See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us-even eternal life." 1John 2:24-25

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful...Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine....If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (Parts of John 15:1-8)
See also the parable of the sower: Mark chapter 4.

Answer 8

I don't believe that you can lose your salvation based on anything that you do. I will paraphrase the bible "All who believe in me will receive everlasting life." I do believe it is possible to think that you are saved and not actually be saved however.

Answer 9

No, you can't lose your salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "for by grace are you saved, for it is a gift of God, not of works, least any man should boast". Once you're saved, you're a child of God, and no one can pluck you from His hands.

Answer 10

Heb 10:26 among many others disputes this. Also in the book of revelations it talks about having your name blotted out of the book of Life. How does that happen unless your name is already written down. I used to believe this but there are far, far too many verses that counter this teaching. It also is a teaching that allows people to wink at sin and feel it's ok. God is the same God of new testament and old testament. The blood sacrifice does overcome the obstacles of the old testament but it does not allow people to willfully sin. Sin we will, but to do it and and think God gives carte blanche is incorrect.

Answer 11

When you get saved you become a child of God.If you turn away and backslide and don`t repent then even though God knows you ,you are no longer able to enter into Heaven.You must repent,which is to do your first works over and live as he has told us to.