This is something that I have heard contested many times. Is it possible for someone, once saved, to lose that salvation?
John 10:25-30
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you did not believe; the words that I do in My Father's name, these testify of ME. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, 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 then all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
Not only is this a great verse to prove the deity of Christ, but it should also be a comfort to Christians. "And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." If Jesus says that we will never perish, does that mean that we will never perish except if we somehow don't act good enough to go to heaven? If there is no one that can snatch you out of Jesus's or his Father's hand after you become part of the flock, how then can you ever leave? Can you snatch yourself?
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Would not salvation be by works if one said that, "You are saved as long as you don't do this."
Let's take a look at a verse that should be familiar to most of us, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
When does this everlasting life come? It comes at the point in time that you believe in the Son. Not at the point that you die believing in the Son. Not if you do certain things. But the moment that God opens your heart so you can believe in him. Then you are promised eternal life.
Can eternal life have an end? Are we to call God a liar by saying that something can happen that makes us no longer saved?
Many times we are told to put off the old self (such as Ephesians 4:22) and to put on the new self, but never is there a way mentioned to go back into your mother's womb and come out with your old body.
I could put many more verses in here such as Ephesians 4:30 ("Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption") but don't want to make this post go too long. Instead I want this to be more of a blessing to those who have put their faith in Christ Jesus.
Although you can loose fellowship with God, it is impossible to ever loose your salvation once God has given it to you. Your sins are covered and you are an adopted son of God, he will never betray you!
