Can a person lose his/her salvation?

Question

I know Christ will not give up on me. I know He offers salvation to all.
But, Can a person give up on Christ after having obeyed the gospel and having once been a Christian
I mean give up on Christ? Turn ones back on Him?
Please give scriptural references? Opinions are fine. But, for bible questions, I need the Word of God. After all THAT'S what can save a person.

Brad, Tanks for your opinion. What I'm looking for is "bible" answers. If I'm going to put my trust in God; I need HIS Word to understand what HE expects.

Lawl, Tun ones back on Him, stop believing in Him....For what I'M asking; they're the same thing. But I was trying to get Scriptural references. Thanks.

christianwoman, Thanks for your answer.
I wonder why it's SO hard to get CHRISTIANS to use the Word of God for the authority of what they do and say?

jugling, Not interesting in childs play right now.

dj,
"He who endures to the end is truly saved."
THAT part is right.

Brownski, I think you're right. But I'm not sure your references particularly deal with "being lost after once being saved". But thank you.

rp, I guess that would work fine for the doctrine: "all you have to do to be saved is believe". Fortunately that's NOT the doctrine of the the new testament church of the bible. A lot of churches hold that doctrine. But I'm understandable interested in the doctrine of Christ's church.

Tebone,
I think you're right! The bible supports what you're saying. One CAN be lost once he/she has been saved. It's a FALSE sense of security to think or TEACH otherwise.
Although we have many great assurances in our faith, it is possible to loose your salvation. Contrary to denominational teaching, the Scriptures warn us in many places against falling away. Jesus explained in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Look at verses 20-21:



The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

xmusic,
"if you are not saved....you are not chosen"
That would make God a "respecter of persons". He's not.
Paul told Timothy of those who had turned from the Truth:
1 Timothy 1:18-19
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.
1 Timothy 4:1
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons"

The Word of God says you CAN lose your salvation. Man says you CAN NOT.

blessed,
One CAN lose his/her savation; you will agree.
The book of Hebrews warns:
Hebrews 10:26-27
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries."

Hebrews 10:38-39
"But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."

Jedi,
Of course salvation is a gift.
Jesus Himself warned us through John:
Revelation 2:4-5
"'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 'Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place-unless you repent."
Honestly ask YOURSELF. What does Jesus mean?:
"you have left your first love"
2 Peter 2:20-22
"For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A dog returns to its own vomit," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."
mmm??

MissJackson. You are VERY wise. Many teach contrary to what you so rightly point out. But THAT'S bible.
The whole New Testament is chock full and overflowing with warnings and admonitions to lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have received.
Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Colossians 1:10
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Peace

kj, It seems to upset you that I stand by the Truth. Seriously. I'm sorry.

Answer 1

Yes one can walk away from his salvation. There is no "once saved always saved" in the bible. If one continues in sin without seeking forgivness and repenting then you are rejecting the gift of salvation. Salvation is an ongoing process to be worked on daily, not just a one time thing like many protestant denominations tell people.

"As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13)."

Answer 2

There are plenty of scriptures. Look at Judas. Even Peter denied Christ three times. "He (Jehovah) is too pure to behold evil." He sees you when you turn back to him, he doesn't change himself. He did divorce Israel as a chosen nation. No, they left him, I should think. He's the same today, tomorrow and forever?
I don't quite get the question. Even the unforgivable sin is only unforgivable if you don't stop doing it. That scripture in Luke 13, verse 30 says 'he who's last shall be first' to enter into the kingdom, so you can be first, although I doubt you ARE last. Life punishes you for doing wrong, that's the law. No further punishment is necessary. If it kills you, you can't turn around this lifetime, but there's a 'resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous.' The wages of sin, death, has been paid, at that point. I don't suppose he just resurrects them to punish them. It's obviously another chance and who wouldn't take it, being in a perfect body and all. Is a ressurection far fetched? Now it may seem so, but the evidence is mounting that it's true as stated
In my opinion some of the best preachers are ones that turned from Christianity and became atheists. Looking from the outside, they got the big picture after a while and became really firm believers. Fire purifies gold and burns off the dross or illusions, lies. Their unhappiness was separation from God, but the fruit of the Spirit of Truth brings you joy, faith and self control, among others. Fruit, singular, as one, because they all come together in the same package and well worth coming back to, in my experience.

Answer 3

An apostate is someone who abandons his religious faith. It is clear from the Bible that apostates are people who made professions of faith in Jesus Christ, but never genuinely received Him as Savior. Matthew 13:1-9 (the Parable of the Sower) illustrates this point perfectly. In that parable, a sower sows seed onto four types of soil: hard soil, rocky soil, weed-choked soil, and freshly tilled soil. These soils represent four types of responses to the gospel. The first one is pure rejection, whereas the other three represent various levels of acceptance. The rocky soil and the weed-choked soil represent people who initially respond favorably to the gospel, but when persecution comes (rocky soil) or the cares of the world bear down (weed-choked soil), that person turns away. Jesus makes it clear with these two types of responses that though they initially accepted they never bore any fruit. Again, Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom” (Matthew 7:21).

It may seem unusual for the Bible to warn against apostasy, and at the same time to say that a true believer will never apostatize. However, this is what Scripture says. 1 John 2:19 specifically states that those who apostatize are demonstrating that they were not true believers. The Biblical warnings against apostasy, therefore, must be a warning to those who are “in the faith” without ever truly having received it. Scriptures such as Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-29 are warnings to “pretend” believers, that they need to examine themselves and realize that if they are considering apostatizing, they are not truly saved. Matthew 7:22-23 indicates that those “pretend believers” whom God rejects are rejected not because of having lost faith, but because of the fact that God never knew them.

There are many people who are willing to identify with Jesus. Who doesn’t want eternal life and blessing? However, Jesus warns us to count the cost of discipleship (Luke 9:23-26, 14:25-33). True believers have counted those costs, whereas apostates have not. Apostates are people who, when they leave the faith, give evidence they were never saved in the first place (1 John 2:19). Apostasy is not a loss of salvation, but rather a demonstration that salvation was never truly possessed.

Answer 4

A MAN once asked Jesus: "Lord, are those who are being saved few?" How did Jesus reply? Did he say: 'Just accept me as your Lord and Savior, and you will be saved'? No! Jesus said: "Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to get in but will not be able."—Luke 13:23, 24.

Did Jesus fail to answer the man's question? No, the man did not ask how hard it would be to be saved; he asked if the number would be few. So Jesus merely indicated that fewer people than one might expect would exert themselves vigorously to receive this marvelous blessing.

'That's not what I was told,' some readers may protest. These may quote John 3:16, which says: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (King James Version) However, we reply: 'What, then, must we believe? That Jesus actually lived? Of course. That he is the Son of God? By all means! And since the Bible calls Jesus "Teacher" and "Lord," must we not also believe what he taught, obey him, and follow him?'—John 13:13; Matthew 16:16.

Following Jesus

Ah, here the problem arises! Many people who have been told that they are "saved" seem to have little intention of either following or obeying Jesus. In fact, a Protestant clergyman wrote: "Of course, our faith in Christ should continue. But the claim that it absolutely must, or necessarily does, has no support at all in the Bible."

On the contrary, the Bible lists immoral practices that are common among some people who think that they are "saved." Regarding one who continued in such ways, it instructed Christians: "Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." Surely God would not want wicked people contaminating his Christian congregation!—1 Corinthians 5:11-13.

Answer 5

Some people believe that once a person is saved, he cannot be lost. This contradicts what the Bible says in Hebrews 6:4-6 -

"...for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

In the above verses, the Hebrew writer is describing those who "fall away." If they never truly believed and were never truly obedient, then they could not fall away! Clearly the writer is speaking about true believers who first had and then abandoned their faith thereby putting Christ to open shame.

Finally, Jesus himself warned of following Him and then later abandoning Him when He said in Luke 9:62 -

"...No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Answer 6

For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2 : 8 - 9

The answer in no!!! A soon as one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he/she has salvation. At the moment of salvation ( believing on the Lord) the Spirit places us in the body of Christ. Along with recieving the in-dwelling Spirit. When this happens we have a seal of redemption. Imagine if we didn't have eternal security it is hard enough to have one believe, now make them be perfect! God's love for us is so much He did all the work for our salvation all we have to do is accept His free gift.

The difference between True Christianity ( Born again christianity) and all other religions is they teach works salvation, limited amount of salvation, or salvation for all. Christ teaches it is a gift of GOD. Believe on the LORD and thou shalt be saved.

Answer 7

I don't know where the verse is in the Bible....and i dont quite remember it exactly....but somewhere Jesus says that satan cannot snatch His children from Him. now...when a person decides to be Christians...and then switch to buddhist? well i believe that God chooses His people...if you are saved....you are chosen. if you are not saved....you are not chosen. now....if someone is Christian and switches religions....then that means...that person had NEVER actually given their heart to God...and they were never saved in the first place. they THOUGHT they had given their hearts to God...but they couldnt have...cuz once you do...there is no turning back. your stuck with Him.....ANYONE who asks for salvation through Jesus will be saved...and they will NEVER be taken away from Him again. but if that person just thinks they are saved.....and then goes around to another religion...that just means they wer enever saved in the first place....they werent chosen. now...some people believe that WE choose God...but think about it...if WE are the ones who choose Him...then that gives us the choice to leave when ever we want...cuz we can like. 'dischoose' Him...i know thats not a word...but u know what i mean. now if we are the ones who choose Him....and we become TRULY saved....and then turn around...and go to buddhism.....then that serves no truth to what God says in the Bible...that satan CANNOT snatch any of Jesus' children from His hand. and everything in the Bible is true....so it is clear that God chooses us...because the Holy Spirit is in us....and the Holy Spirit leads us to God....and He persuades us so much to believe in God....that eventually we make the choice to come to Him..God does not force us. but the Holy Spirit can persaud us so much that we will come to Him. and the Holy Spirit is only in the saved....not the condemned. cuz if it were....then the Holy Spirit would end up going to hell with the condemned...it would live in a soul that worships satan unknowingly... but in the saved...or the elect....the Holy Spirit resides in them. so God...who is also the Holy Spirit....He chooses us. we do not choose Him.



im sorry i couldnt give any Bibly references...i do not remember where in the Bible...or even which book it is. and i dont remember the exact verse either..but i know the main point that it was making.



i hope i helped.....you will probably disagree with me...but you asked a question and i gave my answer.

Answer 8

It really depends on your viewpoint, because you're going to fill your beliefs with the scriptures you choose, and turn the opposing scriptures into what you want them to say. You've had plenty of proof texts thrown at you, and you've proceeded to refute them based on your views of what they mean.

But I'm curious as to how you think Christ offers salvation to all rather than the ones that God gave to him from before the foundations of the world. If God can predestine, then I would think he'd be powerful enough to hold the Elect in the palm of His hand. If it's all about you, then God must be weak. If it's all about God, then Man must be weak. You seem to have chosen a weak God. Sorry, I can't do that.

Answer 9

We are by faith saved. It is by faith we say we are saved and made new. We are by faith made new and we know that God will finish the work he started. When we say we are by faith made new it is claiming that promise. We have not died and been perfect but are still in our flesh in a sinful world. He who endures to the end is truly saved. We have accepted the atonement and the resurrection of Jesus Christ knowing that his atonement does make us free from the law and sin and that Christ did overcome sin and death. It is our faith in his atonement and his resurrection that saves us. We are by faith made new in Jesus. He is our salvation.
It is this faith that gives us the power to be changed and to overcome sin. If a man falls away and has no faith where is his salvation? Many would say he was never saved but if he claimed salvation it was only by faith as we are still in this sinful world. Those who receive the atonement are by faith changed to God's righteouness and are no longer under the law but are by faith made new and in agreement with God's law. we should no longer serve sin but serve God. Now this is not to say that we will never be tempted and that we are now perfect. But that we will no longer be servents of sin. I recommend Romans 6. it will help you to understand what it means to be saved.

Answer 10

I don't know. And here is why. We can say yes I believe. I can say it and you can hear me say it. But do you know if I really believe. Then a year from now, I can say that is it I don't believe anymore - I am done with church and god and everything. And you can hear me say it. But do you know what is truly in my heart.

then i can walk out of that room and get hit by a mack truck and die.

who knows what is truly in my heart.

the only person who does is god.

So, if a person truly believes and loves god with their hearts I think it will take something earth shattering to shake that love. And I do mean earth shattering. Cause even though I have been mad at god, and have been through periods of my life when I didn't speak to him for a year. (like I said I was really really mad at God) i never lost my faith. I came back to it. And he took me in.

god will always call his people home.