How is it that we lose our salvation? If nothing can seperate us from Jesus, how can we become "lost"?
How can we preach to others of the love of God, if, at any moment we might lose our eternal salvation? Once I've placed my faith in God and seek to do His will in my life, why would He turn His back on me?
Nonbelievers would call that a hateful God, one not to be trusted or served.
True, Paul tells us to "work" out our salvation with fear and trembling, but who wouldn't be afraid (or filled with awe) in the face of Almighty God? Didn't Jesus die so that we could live in hope of eternal grace?
Believe me, if I had to live in fear of losing my salvation, I would find it very hard to believe in the love of God. Giving someone the gift of eternal life, then snatching it away from them? I don't think so.
Are there "Christians" who aren't saved? I think so. I believe I've met a few of them.
Does it take perfection to be saved? Who then, will be saved?
2007-12-29 05:15:31 · 21 answers · asked by fmckin1 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Edit: To the lady who thinks she looks better going than entering, you kept track of my questions? I feel honored.
2007-12-30 01:22:37 · update #1
Pamela J-that is a scary theology. Sounds more like "works" rather than "grace". Jesus said, "Follow me."
2007-12-30 01:27:18 · update #2
My view of this question is that salvation begins at the moment of conversion (not death) and continues for all eternity--I hold this view for several reasons:
First, outward appearances can be deceiving. Consider Judas. For three years, he was part of Christ's inner circle. From all outward appearances, he was a true follower of Christ. Yet, Jesus characterized Judas as "a devil" (John 6:70). The book of Hebrews warns us that there were Jews who, like Judas, tasted God's goodness and yet walked away from his grace. They acknowledged Christ with their lips, but their apostasy proved that their faith was not real.
We would do well to remember that everlasting life means just that--life everlasting. This life does not begin when we die but when we embrace the savior who died in our place. As our physical birth can never be undone, so too our spiritual birth can never be undone. Christ said "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7) NOT "Ye must be born again and again and again." In Phillipians, Paul praises God for the confidence that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Phillipians 1:6)
Scripture is replete with passages that testify to the security of the believer. John 5:24 assures us that "he who believes...HAS eternal life"; 1 Cor. 1:8 Promises that Christ will "keep you strong to the end;" John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Jude 24 guarantees that God "is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault." Ephesians provides the surety that "you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession" (1:13-14). As has been well said, the Lord's trees are evergreen.
Please remember that in the KJV, "fear" could possibly be better translated "respect"
2007-12-30 02:03:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Jesus doesn't turn his back on you. "Losing" your salvation means YOU turn your back on him and go back into the world. You forsake fellowship with Him and other Christian believers. You can return to him and get back into fellowship with him, but He doesn't make anyone serve him. A gift is not something you make someone give to you. He wants you to come willingly and lovingly to him. "Christians" who have not received salvation (got Saved) are Christians in name only. To be a true Christian you must repent of your sins to Jesus and ask Him to come into your heart and life. True, there are good people in the world, but only repentance brings salvation. As to your perfection qustion, God looks on the heart to jusge us, as well as our outward actions. If you are truely trying your best, He sees you as perfect! Just like a doting parent thinks his/her child is perfect, even though others see a brat! To be saved you only have to ask for forgiveness, and truely believe Jesus is the Son of God who died as a sacrifice for your sins and rose again. Then just do your best! That's all he asks of you! The Bible tell us in Romans "All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved".
2007-12-29 05:30:26 · answer #2 · answered by Empress ~of~Roam 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't lose your salvation. You can turn your back on God and become an apostate, but you can't lose it. The bible says that there are "tares" among the wheat. A tare is a plant that copycats the wheat in looks and action, but when you open the tare to look inside, the difference in the lack of fruit producing seed. There are many "tares" (professors of Christ but not POSSESSORS of Him) in Christianity, and these are not saved, they only go through the motions of religion because of family or they think it makes them a good person. Peace
2007-12-29 05:20:16 · answer #3 · answered by dooder 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, we can't ask Judas about that, but we can read and learn from what happened to him. What says it would be God to turn his back...he doesn't. It is mankind who turns away from God. It is we who leave salvation. You can not say 'once saved, always saved', that's not how it works. The Bible says 'he who endures to the end is the one who will be saved." God does NOT snatch anything back, we are the ones who throw it away.
The Bible also shows examples of those who turned their backs of God...so it's not unheard of. Why do you reckon the apostles warned of the 'dog returning to his vomit'.
It does not take perfection, 'all have sinned and fall short', but it's the desire to please God. To keep on TRYING, to not keep REPEATING the same sin, to learn, to strive.
2007-12-29 05:26:15 · answer #4 · answered by Suzette R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Who then will be saved? Those who repent of their sins and put their trust in Jesus Christ to save them. Not that one time you did this. But that today you continue to repent and you continue to trust in Jesus. Their will be evidence in this narrow path and if you get off it, God will break you into a million pieces to get you back on it.
2007-12-29 05:22:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is not possible to "loose" your salvation. But it appears that we can willingly give it away.
It would be real hard to work out your salvation with fear and trembling without the possibility of it leaving you.
2007-12-29 05:20:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nice thoughts..Don't worry dear you will not lose any salvation simply because there is nothing called salvation I am sorry to tell you that what you believe in Jesus died for salvation is not correct Jesus was raised to God before crucifixion God doesn't need the shed of blood of his great prophet to save people . ..God's mercy and grace is huge ... He will forgive to whom He sees he deserves it..no need for perfection at all ..all what is needed to believe in Him only ,worship Him only , do good and follow His law as much as we can ... that's all what is needed
One verse in the Quran says:
My mercy embraces all things, therefore I shall ordain it for those who ward off (evil) and pay the poor-due, and those who believe Our revelations;
2007-12-29 05:57:31 · answer #7 · answered by simplicity 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Nothing and no one can separate you; except for your own self. It isn't likely that once you know Jesus you would do this, but think about it, if someone really did make such a choice, they would be able to fall.
2007-12-29 05:20:58 · answer #8 · answered by Holly Carmichael 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As long as you walk with Jesus you will be saved. Jesus didn't loose a single sheep that his father sent him to get. He won't loose those who love him. We are, after all, human. I try my best always and I feel his love. Peace be with you.
2007-12-29 05:20:52 · answer #9 · answered by Carol 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Even worse, you can apparently think that you've been saved, and act on that belief for your entire life, and when you die God denies ever knowing you, and you go to hell anyway. That's what I was taught in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. Scary, eh.
2007-12-29 05:25:18 · answer #10 · answered by Pamela J 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋