Can We Lose Salvation

Can we Lose Salvation

; Speak of falling away. In truth many verses or passages of scripture share a similar warning about turning away from Christ (God). Some argue that these passages show that a Christian can lose their salvation. Many debates arise from these and last week I had such a conversation with several people of the topic of losing your salvation on social media.

There are several positions in this debate.

Each position will cite many scriptures to back their reasoning and thoughts on the subject. One position is that a true believer is sealed into eternal security See , , , and . A position that once God has saved us, nothing can separate us from His love. Another group will insist that genuine Christians who renounce Christ will fall away and lose their salvation, see , , , .

I feel that both positions are from people that are truly genuine and love God. Either group will vehemently defend their belief, and do so with compassion and love. I have not doubt in the sincerity of either believer. Let’s look a little closer.

When looking at you could realize that this particular set of passages have caused as many difficulties as any in scripture. This may be the hardest to interrupt as any in the Bible, IF you do not keep it in context. There are different positions on interpretations on this particular section.

Hebrews 6:4–6 ESV

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.

1st is that Christians have lost their salvation. Once saved but now have lost their salvation. There are a number of people that hold this position, good born again Christians. They are not sure about their salvation, or feel that security cannot be truly had. They turn to this passage and hold a belief that denies a sure salvation which cannot be lost and that a believer is safe in Jesus Christ.

2nd interpretation is a hypothetical case. That "IF" they fall away, as in like satan turning and falling from Heaven. This is meant as a warning against apostasy.

A 3rd interpretation is that these are not believers. I do not hold this belief in any since. Nowhere in these passages does it mention non-believers. If you go back a few verses (remember context context) in Hebrew 5:11-12 it mentions milk and solid food. A non-believer doesn't need milk or food they need life. If one needs milk, then they are assumed as new believers or one that has not grown. So this interpretation doesn't hold up to me.

Some add that as a backup to this particular verse, but I completely disagree. All of chapter 2 in the 2 Peter talks about is the false prophets, teachers and their destructive doctrine. It does show us that we have to test anyone that comes to us and speaks or teaches. That if it differs from scripture or points anywhere but to Christ then beware. Many will come with elegant words and fancy speech, but are they really saying anything. Seminaries are turning out many intellectuals, but are they turning out God believing and God fearing pastors. But I think that is a topic for another time.

Many will come with elegant words and fancy speech, but are they really saying anything. Seminaries are turning out many intellectuals, but are they turning out God believing and God fearing pastors.

Context Context Context

When studying the Bible, we have to consider a few things. There are interpretations, law and context. Like in real estate, there are constants, location, location location. The location of a price of property that sets the value and price a person is willing to pay. What a person is looking for is the deciding factor of a purchase. The person decides if the properties location is worth the cost. Bible interpretation, we have to look at many factors. Many use personal insight or fews to determine interpretation on scripture. But we have to remember one thing context, context, context. Context does not and cannot take personal expectations into

Vs 4-6 are hard to interpret alone, but verse 7&8 bring context and meaning to not only verses 4-6 but the whole of chapter 6.

Hebrews 6:7–9 ESV

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

1st this is not talking about non-believers falling away, nor is it about Christians losing their salvation. Verse 6 says repentance, not salvation. Remember at the time of this writing many Jews have accepted Christ, but some are now going back to their roots in Judaism. They are relying on their works, their sacrifices and not building on their foundation which is Christ. What we are seeing is not their salvation at risk, but their rewards in Heaven. Verse 9 even confirm this with the phrase "things that belong to salvation". Jesus teaches similar in also in . Salvation is by grace, but our new life in Christ should produce works and growth. We should not stay at the same maturity level at the end of the race as when we started the race.

1st this is not talking about non-believers falling away, nor is it about Christians losing their salvation. Verse 6 says repentance, not salvation. Remember at the time of this writing many Jews have accepted Christ, but some are now going back to their roots in Judaism. They are relying on their works, their sacrifices and not building on their foundation which is Christ. What we are seeing is not their salvation at risk, but their rewards in Heaven. Verse 9 even confirm this with the phrase "things that belong to salvation". Jesus teaches similar in

John 15:2 ESV

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

also in . Salvation is by grace, but our new life in Christ should produce works and growth. We should not stay at the same maturity level at the end of the race as when we started the race.

also in

Matthew 6:20 ESV

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

. Salvation is by grace, but our new life in Christ should produce works and growth. We should not stay at the same maturity level at the end of the race as when we started the race.

Salvation is by grace, but our new life in Christ should produce works and growth. We should not stay at the same maturity level at the end of the race as when we started the race.

If we are not building on the foundation built by Christ, through His work and we are building on it through our efforts, with things that please us, now we are getting at the meaning of these verses. We will all stand before God in judgement one day, and because of the righteousness of Christ we are sealed. But what about our rewards? Any construction on the foundation of wood, or metal will be burnt and gone. So the question these verses should create in our mind is what work am I doing? Is it in God's favor or mine?

Paul explains this in

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 ESV

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

. It is not us that will be lost, nor our salvation but the integrity of our work. If our work is done by our strength, or in in the flesh it shall perish, but not our eternal salvation. We each will be tested not in our church attendance, but are we producing fruit. Have we grown in truth, faith and knowledge of Him? Have we been a good witness for Him or a light in this world for Him? Are we a blessing for others or a hindrance?

It is not us that will be lost, not our salvation but the integrity of our work. If our work is done by our strength, or in in the flesh it shall perish, but not our eternal salvation. We each will be tested not in our church attendance, but are we producing fruit. Have we grown in truth, faith and knowledge of Him? Have we been a good witness for Him or a light in this world for Him? Are we a blessing for others or a hindrance?

Confidence originates with God

The confidence of believers, is grounded in God’s character, actions and trustworthy promises, rather than human achievements.

In his unchanging and faithful nature

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See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

In his covenant

Hebrews 9:15 ESV

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

See also with all living creatures; with Abraham; with the house of David; ; ; ; ; ;

In his past deliverances

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See also ; ; ; ; ;

In his past deliverances

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Romans 8:31–32 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

In his word

​ ESV“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

See also ; ; ;

Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

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1 Peter 1:25 ESV

but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

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2 Peter 1:19 ESV

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

In his promises

Joshua 23:14 ESV

“And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

Hebrews 10:23 ESV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

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2 Peter 1:4 ESV

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

See also ; ;

Confidence is centered on Jesus Christ

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

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.

ESV 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.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Confidence is mediated by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:16 ESV

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

​ ESVThe Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

See also ; ;