Can a Christian lose salvation?

The question of whether a Christian can lose their salvation has been a topic of theological debate for centuries. There are differing perspectives within Christianity, with two primary views: eternal security (once saved, always saved) and conditional security (salvation can be forfeited). Below is an overview of the biblical evidence for both positions.

1. Eternal Security: “Once Saved, Always Saved”

This view holds that true believers are secure in their salvation because it is based on God’s grace, not human effort, and God promises to complete the work He begins in believers.

Key Scriptures Supporting Eternal Security

  • John 10:27-29 (NIV):
    “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
    • This passage emphasizes the permanence of eternal life and God’s protection.
  • Romans 8:38-39 (NIV):
    “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
    • Paul assures believers that nothing can separate them from God’s love.
  • Philippians 1:6 (NIV):
    “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
    • This verse affirms that God will complete the process of salvation He begins.
  • Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV):
    “When you believed, 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—to the praise of his glory.”
    • The Holy Spirit is described as a guarantee of the believer’s eternal inheritance.

2. Conditional Security: Salvation Can Be Forfeited

This view asserts that salvation is conditional upon continued faith and obedience, and it is possible for believers to fall away or reject Christ.

Key Scriptures Supporting Conditional Security

  • Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV):
    “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 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
    • This passage warns against falling away after experiencing salvation.
  • Hebrews 10:26-27 (NIV):
    “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
    • Persistent sin and rejection of Christ are presented as leading to judgment.
  • 2 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV):
    “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.”
    • This passage suggests that turning away from Christ after knowing Him results in severe consequences.
  • Matthew 24:13 (NIV):
    “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
    • Jesus emphasizes the necessity of perseverance in faith.

3. The Role of Perseverance

Both views agree that perseverance is a mark of true faith, but they differ on whether falling away indicates a loss of salvation or that the person was never truly saved.

Scriptures on Perseverance

  • John 15:5-6 (NIV):
    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
    • This passage emphasizes the need to remain in Christ to avoid judgment.
  • Colossians 1:22-23 (NIV):
    “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.”
    • Salvation is linked to continuing in faith.
  • Revelation 3:5 (NIV):
    “The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.”
    • This suggests that names can potentially be blotted out of the book of life, but those who overcome will remain secure.

4. Evidence of Genuine Faith

Another key consideration is whether someone who “falls away” was ever genuinely saved. Some passages suggest that apparent believers who turn away were never truly part of Christ.

  • 1 John 2:19 (NIV):
    “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.”
  • Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV):
    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
    • Jesus warns that not all who appear to follow Him truly know Him.

Conclusion

The question of whether a Christian can lose salvation hinges on one’s understanding of God’s sovereignty, human free will, and the nature of faith. Key takeaways include:

  1. God’s Promise of Security:
    True believers are eternally secure in Christ, and salvation is based on God’s grace, not human effort (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39).
  2. Warnings Against Falling Away:
    The Bible includes serious warnings about the consequences of turning away from Christ, which should not be ignored (Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-21).
  3. Evidence of True Faith:
    Genuine faith results in perseverance, and those who fall away may not have been truly saved (1 John 2:19; Matthew 7:21-23).

Ultimately, Christians are called to examine their faith, trust in God’s promises, and remain steadfast in their walk with Christ.

  • 2 Peter 1:10 (NIV):
    “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”