A Serious Question About Eternal Security for Christians?

Question

My Sunday school teacher says that "once saved, is not always saved." He says that Christians can loose their salvation. Is this true? Can we loose our salvation? Please provide a verse or details in your answer. I'd like to present these ideas to him. Serious responses only, please. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

In the bible, it says that once we are saved, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness or peril or sword? 36 - As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we ar accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 38 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us. 38 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 - NOr height, nor depth, nor any other creture, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.j

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 - Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13-14 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise, 14 - Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Those who claim to be saved by Christ, but stray from His word were never saved to begin with. Had they truly been saved, they would adhere to God's word instead of following false doctrines, beliefs and rituals; they would not accept ANYTYHING, including immoral acts and man-made religious rituals (i.e. confession in the Roman Catholic church) that the world sees as 'acceptable' and 'ok',of the world. A true Christian would NEVER abandon the faith nor would they let the world sway them. You're either born again or you're not. If you are without God, then you're not saved. If you have the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, then you are saved and God will give you direction and guidance to tell truth from lies, thus, not swaying from the truth. There are many people that will, for a time, abide by the bible, but will stray from the truth and adopt false beliefs, which means they were not saved to begin with; they listen for a time, but were never 'truly rooted' in the faith.

1 John 4:1-3 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 - Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 - And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 5: 10-12 - He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not Godhath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 - And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 - He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1 John 4:5-6 - They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 - We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1 John 4:12-15 - No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 - HErby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 - And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 - Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Answer 2

Well, the first thing to ask your sunday school teacher is what is salvation based on. Is it based on your works (righteousness) or is it based on Christ's righteousness? He will likely answer Christ's. He will likely than say but you must maintain it. The truth is this maintaining your salvation is not only frustrating but it will make you neurotic. You will either begin to hold some sin higher than others (those ones that I don't practice are the really bad ones) or you will begin to excuse your own areas more and more--because you are attempting to maintain what can't be maintained. I am not talking about a basic level of outward morality, I am instead talking about 100% righteousness. There are honestly too many angles that your teacher could go on this to cover all of them. If he takes you to the "If" you continue statements such as a few in colossians. That is better translated from the Greek: If and it is so...or in the more modern vernacular since. A lot of the other arguments turn into word games. Jesus says no one is able to take the believer out of His hand--in John 10--the argument on losing your salvation would say--well you can walk away (the verse doesn't say that). They would look at Romans 8 and make a similar argument when the bible says nothing (and goes through a long list will separate you from the love of God). It mentions "no created thing will separate you"--you fall under the category of created thing.

I could go on, but it would be an insanely long answer and without specific context it may be confusing.

Here's the deal though salvation is based on faith in Christ alone. He died for every sin you would commit. You are 100% secure, and at no time does the responsibility shift to you to maintain salvation. That said, it is not easy-believism. If you are saved you will produce good works as evidence of faith (though the works add nothing to your position before God). Without works, it is likely evidence that you never knew God in the first place.

One irony of the entire argument is that those who say you can lose your salvation often accuse the other side of being weak on sin--but they themselves do not recognize how pervasive sin is, and have not really gripped the level of spiritual death caused by sin.

I'm sorry that that answer was long and not fully complete...let me know if you have any specific arguments I can help with.

Best,

Todd

Answer 3

SUMMER BREEZE has the verses for you, could not find anymore that were more proof that we cannot lose our salvation. So I will not add anymore, however I will say this-
If Jesus really died for our sins , once and for all, we are saved once and for all- if we are truly saved we cannot use our salvation. Some people may think they are saved, and the Lord will say, "depart from me I never knew you"- however these people were never saved in the first place. There is nothing that will be able to snatch us out of His hand- however this is not an excuse to sin and just say that you are forgiven. Being a Christian , means becoming more like Christ.

Answer 4

It is called backsliding and you Sunday School teacher is absolutely right. People can lose their salvation if they turn back away from God and start following the enticements of the world. The apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 2:20-22 the following scripture as a warning to Christians in order that they avoid these enticements and continue walking with the Lord Jesus Christ.

20 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. 2 Peter 2:20-22.
21 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.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

gatita_63109

Answer 5

~If saved, always saved~ If someone gets saved then it is forever~
Look at it this way: Is God going to put your name in the Lamb's book of life & then take it out, over & over? No.
Let's look at two people from the Bible: King David was saved & committed adultery & murder. However, he was still saved & received everlasting life. Nonetheless, David was chastised as will any Christian, who defiles God's temple. Then there was Judas. He walked with Jesus & did the works of Christ. However, he never truly believed & died without receiving eternal life. I want to close with this: Salvation is easy. People make it hard through rebellion & unbelief. The Bible says to believe in your heart & make confession with your mouth & you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). Moreover, how could Jesus truly say He can save you, if you can lose your salvation? The point is: Jesus can save {John 10:29} Actually, this is one argument I do not even want to be drawn into. It makes no sense at all. Read the Bible & if someone cannot be assured through Jesus... Then I suggest he or she read & pray until they understand. Nevertheless, it does come to our faith~ Jesus will help with out faith, all we have to do is ask Him~
*There are many verses about salvation & eternal life... Each individual person needs to search them out for him/herself*
***I want add in "realchurchhistorian & zeal4him" have excellent posts. Furthermore, the Bible plainly states we are not suppose to cause conflict in the body.

Answer 6

If whta does salvation mean? It means that a person accepted GENUINELY in their heart that Jesus saved them from going to hell and therefore have a relationship with the Lord. Salvationcannot be lost if you accepted it. Salvation is given from the Lord. Can the Lord take away something he promised you? If he did he would not be God. God's word is holy and he never lies. Something Holy is within hence the holy spirit. However when someone is distracted form their relationship with the Lord it will weaken such with any relationship. YOU are the person that strenghten the relationship. The Lord always wants to be with you. I have thsi pamplet that can answer you ? but I left in my dorm cuz i'm at home now. It goes in depth about it. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

I wouldn't call it LOSE as much as I would call it "throw away" their eternal security.

Some people take for granted the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. They start telling themselves that they know everything about the Bible (which then shuts them off from further enlightenment from the Holy Spirit) and thinking that they are good people. (why wouldn't Jesus accept them?)

The most important thing to remember above all else. We deserve death. Jesus did not deserve death. Jesus died and took our place, so that we can stand in HIS place in the presence of God. Nothing we do is ever going to make us worthy of being in the presence of God. Only by claiming Jesus sacrifice can we even begin to think we can approach God.

If you remember this above, you will not loose your salvation.

Answer 8

Before you confront this teacher, you should really look at what the church believes. If your beliefs are incompatable with theirs, then instead of causing division, you should leave.

How is it that you disagree with the SS Teacher, but do not know where in the Bible your disagreement is found? I hope this will drive you to deeper study.

Also, you do know that this topic has been debated by Christianity for centuries. There are books, websites, and churches that all have very well developed views. It is more than likely that the SS Teacher is fairly well versed in all of this, and you starting a debate with him or her would not really accomplish anything other than cause division.

Nevertheless:

1. In Genesis 15 - God makes a Covenant with Abraham that is completely dependent upon God. It is an unconditional Covenant.

In Exodus 20 - God makes a covenant with the Israelites through Moses, but this is a CONDITIONAL covenant.

This is very very important to understand the difference between these covenants.

The New Testament, or the New Covenant is UNCONDITIONAL.

By faith in Genesis 15 Abraham to enter in the covenant with God. He was obedient in his heart, and his actions proved this, but in the end, it was God who performed the task. The same was true upon the mountain with Issac. Over and over God tested Abraham's faith, but in every case, God did all the work. It was dependent upon Him in the end, but Abraham willfully chose what to do and whether to obey or not.

2. When does Eternal Life begin? When does a person's soul join with God?

The Hebrew word for Death is separation. Separation of the Soul from the Body is physical death, separation of the Soul from God is Spiritual Death.

The Hebrew word for Life means together. When the body and soul are joined a person is alive. When the persons soul and the Holy Spirit are connected a person has Spiritual Life.

In the Bible Spiritual life is synonymous with Eternal Life.

I Jn 5:11-13
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
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.
(KJV)

How can a person who receives Eternal Life lose it? If he does then why is it called Eternal Life?

Do not let the sinfulness of man and the unfaithfulness of 'apparent' believers influence you understanding of God & His Mercy. He knows who are His.

We have an easy saying:

Jesus is my Creator. - Hebrews 1:2
Jesus is my Savior. - Hebrews 1:3
Jesus is my Keeper. - 2 Timothy 1:12


If you genuinely have a new nature in Christ, then there should be signs of life.

The reality is however, that there is enough said about those who do not stay faithful and end up in Hell in the Bible. I personally believe that it is talking about those who heard the truth, tasted the Holy Spirit and were convicted of their Sin, but never truly had heart-felt repentance.

There are those who will be saved so as by fire - 1 Cor. 3

But the one thing that people on both sides of the debate agree upon is that a faithful person who has confessed Jesus Christ as his or her Savior has little to fear.

Answer 9

This is something theologians have long been discussing for many many years. What it boils down to is semantics and what the meaning of the verse is.

Here are a couple of verses that may help.

Ezekiel 18:24 "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die."

Hebrews 6:4-6 "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

Hebrews 10:26,27 "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."

But more importantly remember this verse:
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from unrighteousness."

Answer 10

Brother Blessed,

Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

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

Luke 12:10
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Answer 11

The only way in which a person may "lose" their salvation is not "losing" it at all, but giving it up. You have to make the conscious decision that you no longer want to follow Christ. The decision is up to you alone, just as it was up to you to decide that you wanted to accept Christ. The problem with the "once saved, always saved" doctrine (besides its lack of Biblical evidence) is that it takes away the power of choice, which is one of God's greatest gifts to man. Once a person accepts Christ, they may decide that they no longer want to serve Him. They can choose to give up their salvation and join the other side. God has given us the freedom to choose, and He does not take away that freedom at any point in the Christian's life.
Please understand that you have to make the conscious decision yourself that you no longer want to serve Christ. The occaisional good deed or misdeed does not determine salvation. God is not going to yank away your salvation because you have fallen. Rather, He picks you up and encourages you to try again, with Him holding your hand. Our salvation is based on our relationship with God. If you have accepted Jesus into your heart and life, than you are saved. If you choose to cast Jesus out of your heart, than you are no longer saved.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord, rest assured that you have salvation. Yes, you will fall, but Christ will lift you up, if you let Him. Please don't squander God's gift. Cherish it, and make the daily decision to follow Jesus.
God bless!