Can a Christian Lose Their Salvation?
The Questions We Keep Asking – Post 5 of 10
“If I’m saved, can I ever lose it?”
This question touches a deep nerve in many believers. Some are terrified that one sin could sever their relationship with God. Others assume that once they’ve prayed a prayer, they’re safe forever—no matter how they live. The truth must be drawn not from feelings or traditions, but from Scripture alone.
I. True Believers Are Eternally Secure
John 10:28–29
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
Romans 8:38–39
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 1:13–14
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
II. Some Who Appear Saved Never Truly Were
1 John 2:19
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”
Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
III. Real Salvation Perseveres—Not Perfectly, But Persistently
Philippians 1:6
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Proverbs 24:16
“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.”
Hebrews 12:6
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
IV. Restoration Is a Repeated Theme in Scripture
Psalm 51:11–12
“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
Jonah 3:1
“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying…”
Jeremiah 3:14
“Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”
John 21:17
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ … Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
Luke 15:20
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
V. What About Hebrews 6 and Other Warnings?
Hebrews 6:4–6
“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
VI. Eternal Security Is Not a License to Sin—but a Motivation for Holiness
Romans 6:1–2
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Titus 2:11–12
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…”
Reflection & Life Application
- Do you have assurance of your salvation based on Christ—not your emotions or actions?
- Are you living in gratitude for your security, or in fear of losing it?
- If you’ve strayed, will you respond to the Father’s call to come home?
Let’s Talk About It
Romans 10:13
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Jude 24
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy…”
The question isn’t “Can I lose my salvation?” but rather: “Do I truly have it?” And if you do—God will keep you. If you’ve wandered, the Shepherd still seeks lost sheep. He doesn’t lose His own.
Next Post in the Series:
Are All of the Bible’s Commands Still Relevant Today?