Can We Lose Our Salvation? (Section 1)

Do you worry over whether you can “lose your salvation?” For starters, consider the fact that many people never worry over such things. That in itself probably means that you’re on the right track and shouldn’t have anything to fear in the first place 🙂 But, if you’re like many, you probably want a more substantial answer to your concerns.

This topic has been disputed for generations, and it’s one that each of us have to come to terms with in one way or another. The idea of whether salvation is something that can be lost changes depending on different points of view.

Some basic points of view that affect how we answer this question:

• Salvation is available to all; you just have to choose Jesus.
• Once you “accept Jesus” and make your “declaration of faith” you are saved no matter what, even if you continue a sinful life.
• Once you “accept Jesus” and make your “declaration of faith” you can still fall if you are not obedient.
• Salvation is available to those who are predestined to salvation.
• Those who are called to salvation are eternally secure no matter what, even if they continue a sinful life.
• Those who are called to salvation can fall out of salvation if they do not obey God.

What is my point of view? Before getting into that, I want to answer some questions about salvation in itself – so hopefully we will all have a better understanding, and you can also come to your own conclusion.

What is Salvation?

What is it that Jesus came to save us from? Many believe in Jesus because they see faith in Him as a “get out of hell free” card. Is that point of view really in line with the scriptures or the purposes of Christ?

Jesus, who is both the Messiah to the Jews and the Light of the Gentiles has some very important purposes, that when brought together, give us a better understanding of the “salvation” He brings:

• Jesus liberates us from the prince of this world and the rulers of darkness (John 12:31).
• Jesus restores all lineages of Adam to the father though His mercy towards the gentiles (Colossians 1: 15-23).
• He is the firstborn lamb without spot that cleanses and forgives us of our sins (1 Peter 1: 19-21).
• He is the descendant of David, the King of Kings that overthrows the powers of this world and establishes the heavenly kingdom (Matthew 1:1, John 18:36).
• He is the Light that leads the way into the kingdom of God, first through the power of the Holy Spirit now, then through the power of the resurrection (Colossians 1: 9-24).
• He is the one who will ultimately destroy all sin and death forever! (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Rather than approaching the gospel of Jesus Christ as one who saves us from hell, instead we should see the fuller, truer picture.

Jesus came to free us from the present kingdom of Satan (Ephesians 6:12). His blood forgives our sins (Ephesians 1:7). His Holy Spirit writes the laws of the kingdom in our hearts so that we can be literally freed from sin (Hebrews 10:16). His death and resurrection is a promise of our own freedom from the second and final death (Revelation 21:8).

Before Christ, the people of God, the house of Israel, were the partakes of a covenant established in the Laws of God. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the fulfillment of the second covenant, one that provides a better path to righteousness. Where the law killed because none could obey, Christ makes alive by changing our natures and writing the law in our hearts! That my friend, is salvation!

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. – Jeremiah 31:33

To reiterate and sum up, What are we being “saved” from?

Salvation is both a present and future event. Presently, we are being “saved” from the bonds of death which is sin and slavery to Satan. We will then be saved from the final destruction of the wicked, which is the second death. Jesus is our savior, sure. But more importantly, He is our LORD! He is the one who has overthrown the kingdoms and strongholds of this present world spiritually, and He will one day reign over all the earth when He returns and establishes His kingdom!

Do you see the problems with mainstream Christian views of “salvation?”

There is a lot to be said in order to give a clear picture and answer to the question of salvation security, so this article is split into sections rather than publishing several pages at once. This way, readers can also have time to process one idea at a time. In the next section, we will answer the questions: “For whom is salvation promised?” and “How does one become saved?” Then in the final section, we will finally get to the question, “Can we lose our salvation?”

This is Part 4 in Series, “The Severity of Sin and the Mercy of Jesus Christ.”

Part 1: The Wages of Sin is Still Death

Part 2: “They Which do Such Things…” Do Sinners Enter the Kingdom?

Part 3: “No Sacrifice Remaining!?” A Look at “Willful” Sin.

Up next: Can We Lose Our Salvation? (Section 2)