Once Saved Always Saved?

The time has come for me to hit a topic that can be very controversial. The title of this post is a dead giveaway. For the past decade I have believed that once a person is saved they cannot lose their salvation. This is something that the Bible seems to promise and can be very comforting. I have depended on this theology for some of my loved ones who have strayed as well as for myself. The verses that lend to a belief in "once saved always saved" talk about; Jesus seeking His lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14), the promise of the eternal inheritance and being sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14). There are additional verses that comfort us with the thought that we cannot lose our salvation but as I have done a little deeper searching recently, I have discovered verses that more strongly imply that we CAN.

What stirred me with the initial thought that maybe salvation can be lost is the number of people that I have seen who have claimed to be Christians and have truly turned their backs on the Lord's path for their lives. Of course the common question that comes up is: Were they ever saved in the first place?

As I started looking in to this, I realized that the verses I found are speaking to Christians and warning them of the apostasy or falling away of believers. Why would God warn believers of falling away if they are secure from the onset of their acceptance of Jesus as their Savior? Also, much of the New Testament tells us to live out our faith, that faith without works is dead and that we should reflect the fruits of the Spirit.

I have no doubt that if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and we live lives according to God's will, we will NOT lose our salvation. However, I am teetering on the fence-line and must admit leaning towards the side of belief that we CAN lose it if WE walk away from God. And that we CAN walk away from Him. God allows us free will and with that free will, we can conclude that life according to the Bible is too hard and choose to turn our backs on it. There may be a difference between back-sliding and pure rejection, but I believe that rejection is possible. And, happening all over the place!

Here is some of the evidence that I have found:

• Hebrews 6:4-12 is well known for the talk of apostasy. The writer tells us that it is impossible for those who have been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit and tasted the goodness of the Word of God and then fallen away, to be restored again to repentance because they are crucifying Jesus all over again. He goes on to say the he desires each of us to show the same earnestness to have full assurance of hope until the end.
• Ezekiel 33:12-20 speaks of the righteous man who does injustice shall die and that the wicked, when turning from his sins will live. The righteous are not to depend on their righteousness to save them when they sin.
• James 1:22 says: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
• Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the wide and narrow gates. Jesus tells us that the narrow gate is hard and will be found by few.

Some of you may think that I am taking these out of context or stretching what the main point is, but I have to say that I am becoming more comfortable in my spirit with the idea that people can and DO walk away from the Lord. I also think that there are many people out there who claim Christianity but live their lives according to their will not God's. This is the gray area where we cannot always determine who has outright rejected God and who is just back-sliding or walking with a foot in the world. Fortunately for us, WE do not have to concern ourselves with this knowledge. It is only God's authority and judgment that will determine the true heart of each believer. However, it is important that we as true believers hold other professing Christians accountable to the word of God. When we see blatant sin in the lives of others and in our nation as well, we need to stand for God's truth and morals. Rejection of God may be as simple as rejection of His Word. If we know that He tells us not to do something specific, yet we chose to keep doing it are we in a sense rejecting God? Just something to ponder.

Well, I guess I have said enough for now. This has just been on my mind for awhile now and I wanted to share. Feedback is encouraged if anyone has thoughts on the subject.