Christ First Forum

Can a saved person ever again be lost?

Can a Christian lose his salvation? Can a person once saved, having received God's free gift of eternal life and having been born into the family of God, again return exactly and completely to the position of being a lost and guilty sinner in the eyes of God? Of course not! The very nature of the spiritual life that has been received—eternal—and the Divine Source and Agent of that life—God—forbid drawing the conclusion that a saved person can ever again be lost.

"And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."
-John 10:28 (NKJV)

This Biblical doctrine that a person who has received Jesus Christ, been born into the family of God, and justified by faith, can never again be lost is sometimes called eternal security. Others speak of it as the perseverance of the saints. The latter expression might better be termed the perseverance of God in behalf of the saints, because the security of our salvation does not rest on us but on God—it is based on the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

What is the work of the Father in securing eternally our salvation?
The eternal security of believers rests on the Father's purpose in choosing us to salvation in eternity past and predestinating us to sonship in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Further, God's power is promised to keep us secure in salvation (Romans 8:28-30), for the ones that the Father foreknew, predestined, called (effectually to salvation, cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24), and justified are the very same ones he “glorified”. (Paul uses the past tense since in God's sight it is “good as done” that we will one day be conformed to the image of Christ in heaven).

Further, Jesus Christ guaranteed that we are secure in His and the Father's hand, and so He will keep safe each one who has received the gift of eternal life (John 10:28-29).

What is the work of the Son in securing eternally our salvation?
Our security further rests on the death and the prayers of Jesus Christ. He has redeemed us (Ephesians 1:7) and removed the wrath of God from us (Romans 3:25) so that we may be justified (Romans 5:1), forgiven (Colossians 2:13), and sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2).

Further, "Christ's present ministry in heaven of praying for His own consists of two aspects: a preventive ministry (intercession) and a curative ministry (advocacy). His prayer in [John] chapter 17 illustrates the preventive aspect. There He prayed that we might be kept from the evil one (v. 15), that we would be sanctified (v. 17), that we would be united (v. 21), that we would be in heaven with Him (v. 24), and that we might behold His glory (v. 24). Because of His unceasing intercession for us He is able to save us completely and eternally (Hebrews 7:25)". [3]
-Charles Ryrie

The “curative” aspect of Christ's present ministry is indicated in 1 John 2:1. When we do sin as believers, He acts as our Advocate before the Father, forgiveness and cleansing of all our sins.

What is the work of the Holy Spirit in securing eternally our salvation?
By the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we have received eternal life (Titus 3:5). When we trusted Christ, the Holy Spirit began an eternal indwelling ministry in us (John 14:17). Also He was the seal placed on us by the Father to guarantee our future inheritance (Ephesians 4:30). And He baptized us into union with Christ and into the body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Can a saved person ever be lost?
"For a believer to lose his salvation would demand a reversal and an undoing of all the preceding works of the Father, Son, and Spirit. The key issue in the discussion of the believer's security concerns the issue of who does the saving. If man is responsible for securing his salvation, then he can be lost; if God secures the person's salvation, then the person is forever secure."

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?"
-Romans 8:31; cf. vv. 32-39

http://christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t006.html

What a blessing it is to know that you're saved!!!! This is the group that we fit into, and it is the reason that we can face all the worldly news everyday without a spirit of fear. We KNOW that we are with Him, and He is with us. "Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world". In fact, as we witness the prophecied events of these last days, we look at them with an excitement, an anticipation of our soon to come Lord.

I'm convinced that there are many out there who are saved, yet they listen to the voice of satan, telling them they aren't good enough, and then they question their own salvation. This is sad, because they let satan destroy their witness. Since they are saved, he can't destroy them, so he tries to do the next best thing, and that is to destroy their witness. After all, if he does that, they won't feel worthy to spread the Word, and won't take the time to read and study scripture. All it takes is a little reading in 1 John to know if you're saved. For those of you out there reading this who fit into this category, consider this - you accepted Christ by faith - faith is accepting what grace offers - it's a free gift. You can't add to that by works - you truly accept Christ into your heart as your Lord and personal saviour, repent of your sins, and He seals His spirit within you. NEVER forget that!!!

On the other hand, I'm convinced there are many out there who think they're saved, who are not. This group merely identifies with Jesus as "a fire insurance policy", and never truly put their faith and trust in Him. He says of them "not all who say, Lord, Lord, will be saved". Also He says "why do you call me Lord, when you don't do the things that I say?"

On the other hand, I'm convinced there are many out there who think they're saved, who are not. This group merely identifies with Jesus as "a fire insurance policy", and never truly put their faith and trust in Him. He says of them "not all who say, Lord, Lord, will be saved". Also He says "why do you call me Lord, when you don't do the things that I say?"

Agree. .

Amen Troy....

O offer 'false change',but God offers 'true change.'

That's what salvation is.....a new born person....

HE WHO OVERCOMES SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENTS AND I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE, BUT I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE MY FATHER AND BEFORE HIS ANGELS. Rev. 3:5

Once you're 'reborne', your name cannot be blotted out of the Book of Life...

You 'cannot' lose your salvation...