Many today take the view that when someone is saved they cannot lose their salvation. However, this "once saved, always saved" doctrine is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. This would mean that a person could truly be saved by God, and then turn into a murderous idolater but still be saved without true repentance of their new sins. One cannot become a Christian, then fall back into sin, and expect God to except them into heaven. The Word of God does not follow the same perspective as some people in the world on the subject of losing their salvation. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of one who has tasted the heavenly gift and has fallen away. Its says that these people crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. Someone who does this is not worthy of the kingdom of God.
Jesus has a lot to say about Christians drifting away. In Matthew 24:10 Jesus speaks of the tribulation that will come on the world near the end of time. He says, "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another." Two verses later he speaks of people's love growing cold. Jesus knows that troubles and trials will cause many Christians to leave the faith. On the other hand, verse 13 states, "the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." Only continued service to the Lord can retain salvation.
In the book ot Revelation, Jesus tells John to write to the angels of the seven churches that are in Asia. Jesus tells the church of Loadicea that they are lukewarm Christians and will be spit out of His mouth. He tells the church of Sardis that He has not found their deeds complete and calls them to repentance. Jesus let these churches know that even though they were once devout Christians, they had turned back to the world. Jesus recognized that some of those in His church were living sinfully and called them to repentance.
As you can see, the Bible is very clear on the subject. The loss of salvation is explained again in 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 terrifying expectation of judgement and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries." The writer clearly states that a Christian who continues in sin can lose their salvation and that a terrifying judgement awaits them.
Perhaps the most easliy understood passage to dispute the view that salvation cannot be lost is 2 Peter 2:20-22. It states, "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 handed on 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." This verse goes so far as to say that a sinner that has never known salvation is better off than one who has turned their back on God. God wants Christians who are dedicated to His service and who will stay in His Will forever.
There are many warnings about Christians losing their salvation in the Bible, I have only touched on a few. But the Bible also speaks of endurance and faithfulness leading to Heaven. 1Timothy 1:18-19 speaks of fighting the "good fight" and "keeping faith". 1 Corinthians 15:58 speaks of remaining "steadfast" and "always abounding in the work of the Lord". Our faithfulness and endurance will have reward in Heaven. In Revelation 2:10 Jesus says, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Salvation can be lost, but endurance leads to eternal life.
|
