Can a Christian lose salvation?

A very fine point sister Magenta!! Personally, one is a believer if they are followers, for if one does not follow a person they truly believe in, why would they follow in the first place??? LOL My wonder is as the same as yours in one way. Why in the World would Jesus not just make Judas a disciple but an Apostle at that????

Judas had an Office of authority!! And why would he ever allow Judas to hold the money for them???(John 13:29) As you stated Jesus knew he would betray him. This goes against what any normal person would ever do especially when you know you are going to be betrayed!! All I can say sister is that it all worked out in the end for all of us.

Now saved- We believe that if we confess with our mouth and follow in his Words we will be saved. In truth that revelation will hold true in our end, for as you know many will say on that day (Matt 7:13-23) verse 14 FEW who find it. Sister the only time the word few is used in Scripture is found in (1 Peter 3:18-20) Verse 20 describes few as 8 people back then!!!

Ah that is sure not many is it?? So, for me I tell the good Lord that I wish to be judged according to your Word in (Phil 4:7-9) If the good Lord judges me according to this scripture I am in!!! My hope is that he will!!! And faith is the very hope!! (Heb 11:1) I can only speak for myself in this good sister. You may not agree but I hope you do understand my mindset on this important subject. Blessing to you as always!!

Some people follow because they are lost and looking. Many who followed Jesus later turned and walked away. They could not accept the teachings. We could probably compile quite a list as to why people follow others. Perhaps they hope to be seen in the same manner as the "leader," or they hope to gain power/status of some sort, or they are enchanted with some aspect of whomever they are following, or some need of theirs is being met (such as Jesus feeding the multitudes). Perhaps they are simply seeking guidance, direction, and meaning in their life. Today having followers takes on a new meaning, with all our electronic this and that connecting groups of people, but I could not say that following someone ever meant one believed whole-heartedly in that other person. Some follow others hoping to out them somehow and bring dishonour on them. Surely we have also all heard the saying, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer? Did Jesus know all along who Judas was and the role he would play? I would say, yes. He knew the hearts of men. We are also told of Judas that he didn't care about the poor, but complained about the use of expensive perfume on Jesus because as keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it - he was a thief. He was in it for himself and his own gain. Some claim that Judas' suicide is proof of his repentance, but his suicide does not look like Godly sorrow, which is why I posted this panel...


2 Corinthians 7:10

To me 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says that faith can be lost. If at any point it isn’t held firmly to then the possibility of believing in vain is present. In other words, they wasted their timing believing because they didn’t hold firmly to the gospel. In the later verses, Paul quickly explains what the gospel is.

The people being referenced are being used as an example of what can happen to believers. It’s a warning against unbelief. It’s possible to believe/have faith then lose it.

Hebrews 3:12 says “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”

Someone’s heart can’t turn away from the living God unless at one point it was turned to the living God. In the same vein as 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Hebrews 3:12-14 is clear that if faith isn’t held until the very end then there is no sharing in Christ or, in other words, salvation is lost.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

I don't see how this could be any clearer: They received the message; they were standing in the truth; they were saved, if they remained in the truth. They had already received the word, now Paul is telling them to stand fast. If they fell away, then indeed, it would have all been for nothing.

Can I lose my salvation. Hmm what is salvation? What is born from above, born again? What is put off the old man, what is put on the new man?. Maybe if we understand this might help. I've only had the thought I lost my salvation when He first found me or when I am sinning. Odd those are the moments huh. I have never had the thought nor in all my life met heard other then just ONE saying they could sin all they wanted. It was a very small Church.

1st John.. they say believe some of that was him talking to those that believed they were sinless. So when we read if we say we have nos in... things like this makes sense but anyway. Hep 10 oh praise God I really pray we would think about the weak in the faith. Jewish believers at that time the ones Paul or GOD was talking to would sin. They would go back and offer a sacrifice for that sin. There is no more sacrifice (oh song ALMOST HOME YES YES YES playing) for that sin. Christ can not die again. By them doing that put Christ to open shame.

So its no longer I that sin but sin that is in me. I know who i am its not this flesh. YET even though I have been forgiven I do not have the right to freely sin. To lose my salvation or always saved are not thoughts I ever have. One would have to know God as Satan and his fallen angels did. To know GOD who He is to taste of the powers to come. To know with out a doubt Christ is the way the truth and the life. Again to taste of the powers to come and then walk away. Them maybe but no one here sorry no one knows Him like this. Were talking about Paul or Peter or John that knew know Him. Its not some awful thing happening in your life or God never talks to you never heard him.. is He even real? Things like this and you walk away? What did you walk away from?

So please speak words of life not how easy it is to lose what it cost God so much. Yeah how many know that? OH sorry this song "Different" I want to be different I want to change... Micah Tyler. Oh I LOVE this song. Seems to fit huh.

How many know what this cost God/Christ? You think He just left heaven and went back as if nothing happened? Praise GOD most are bind.. if blind you would have no sin. You say you see your sin remains. This is what I believe and no one has to believe follow me. Maybe say that also? God does not use fear worry doubt. Believe john 3;16 Rom 10 9-10. You are His and what He started in you He will finish. If you fall get dust off keep going. Just repent try not to do that again but.. always run to Him and repent. He will never ever let you go. You have no fear you are His. I and man have no say in that

2 Peter 2 comes to mind as I was reading your post. It's an interesting chapter and here is one of the highlights:

2 Peter 2
17These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
20If 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. 21It 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. 22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

Those who are truly born of God have received a new nature, a divine nature. They have been transformed from pigs and dogs into sheep. The change is more than just cosmetic, as in 2 Peter 2:20. *These cleaned up on the outside dogs and pigs were never sheep.*

Compare 2 Peter 1:4 - "partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption - Strongs #5356 that is in the world through lust with 2 Peter 2:20 - with they escaped the pollutions - Strongs #3356 (different Greek word) of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, yet they are again entangled therein, and overcome. *Notice that 2 Peter 2:20 did not mention them being "partakers of the divine nature."

Corruption (Strongs #5356) (to shrivel or wither, spoil , ruin , deprave, corrupt , defile, to destroy by means of corrupting, to spoil as does milk). Corruption - describes decomposition or rotting of an organism and the accompanying stench. The utter depravity of the fallen flesh and the resultant moral decomposition of the world opposed to God is driven by it sinful lusts or evil desires. Internal corruption.

Pollutions/Defilements (Strongs #3393) ("pollutions", "filthy things", "contaminations", "world's filth") describes the state of being tainted or stained by evil and refers to impurity, impure, tainted, defilement, foulness or pollution. Pollutions/Defilement refers to what is on the outside. (2 Peter 2:20) But genuine believers have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)

Corruption is deeper than pollutions/defilements on the outside: it is decay on the inside. Having the knowledge of Jesus Christ does not save a person if there is no heart submission to that knowledge. The latter end is worse than the beginning for these men because rejecting this knowledge will make them more accountable at the judgment.

The below verse is about going from not being saved, to knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to not being saved again. Such people are worse off than they began. They began unsaved. Imagine being worse than being unsaved. That’s what apostasy is.

2 Peter 2
20If 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.

Only GOD can judge whether they went to heaven or hell

An outstanding post.

You amplified the goal of the Christian instruction, unconditional love towards others!

In regards to partakers of the Holy Spirit, the word translated “partaker” can certainly refer to a saving partaking in Christ, as we read in Hebrews 3:14, yet it can also refer to a less than saving association or participation. See Luke 5:7 and Hebrews 1:9 - "comrades, companions," which describes one who shares with someone else as an associate in an undertaking. These Hebrews who fell away had obviously in some aspect shared in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but in what way? There are other ministries of the Holy Spirit which precede receiving the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit, which only genuine believers receive..

Those who fall away absolutely could have been affiliated closely with the fellowship of the church. Such people certainly may have experienced sorrow for sin, heard and understood the gospel and have given some assent to it and have become associated with the work of the Holy Spirit while around believers and have tasted the heavenly gift and the powers of the age to come. They may have been exposed to the true preaching of the word of God, yet have simply tasted and stopped there.

In regards to tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, they may have tasted in such a way as to give them a distinct impression of the quality of what was tasted, yet they still fell away. Inherent in the idea of tasting is the fact that one might or might not decide to accept what is tasted. For example, the same Greek word (geuomai) is used in Matthew 27:34 to say that those crucifying Jesus "offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it." Do we merely "taste" into one Spirit or drink into one Spirit? (1 Corinthians 12:13)

People who have experienced these positive factors may be genuine Christians, yet these factors alone are not enough to give conclusive evidence that the beginning stages of the Christian life (repentance unto life, regeneration, salvation, justification, adoption etc..) have taken place for those who fell away. The experiences in Hebrews 6:4-6 are all preliminary to those decisive beginning stages of becoming a Christian, yet some draw back to perdition after receiving the 'knowledge' of the truth and do not believe to the saving of the soul, as we see in (Hebrews 10:39).

These certain individuals who fall short of obtaining salvation certainly may have become partakers of the Holy Spirit in his pre-salvation ministry, convicting of sin and righteousness and judgment to come by tasting the good word of God and temporarily responded to His drawing power which is intended to ultimately lead sinners to Christ, yet the writer of Hebrews does not use conclusive terms that these individuals were "indwelled by the Holy Spirit" or "sealed by the Holy Spirit" or have "received the Spirit's pledge which is the guarantee of future inheritance." Genuine believers who have truly believed the gospel are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession/unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30)

We must not confuse 'descriptive' passages of scripture with 'prescriptive' passages of scripture. The end result culminates in putting the cart before the horse and teaching salvation by works. The good deeds of the redeemed (those who have done good) are not the basis of obtaining salvation but the evidence of it. A person's conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart.

Doing good flows from a heart that is saved and doing evil flows from a heart that is unsaved. Notice that ALL who come forth unto the resurrection of life (believers - vs. 24) are described as those who have done good (a good tree bears good fruit) and ALL that come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (unbelievers) are described as those who have done evil. (but a bad tree bears bad fruit)

Romans 2:7

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Again, notice that ALL who receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved.

Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath. This is descriptive of unbelievers. Notice that ALL who do not receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does evil (vs. 9).

What those passages convey is that though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means by which we obtained salvation, but the type of deeds produced expose whether our heart was saved, or not. These deeds done out of faith are the fruit, not the root of salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have clearly stated that we are saved through faith and works in Ephesians 2:8,9 and that we are justified by faith and works in Romans 5:1, but that is clearly NOT what Paul said. Also see (Romans 4:2-6; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9).

Key word. Those who practice the sins in Galatians 5:19-21.

1 John 3:9 - No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul gives a similar list of sins (in which practicing such sins is implied) describes such people as the unrighteous IN CONTRAST with those who truly are saved in verse 11 - Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Those who practice such sins are not born of God, as we read in 1 John 3:9.

Galatians 3:3-5

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Galatians 3:3 reads: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? The middle voice implies "making yourselves perfect" by means of self effort. The present tense indicates that the action is in progress and that there is still time to correct the error.

Were they? You may have good reason(s) to believe they were, but couldn't they have been 2 people who were caught up in the movement and were assumed to be genuine? Indeed, they may have BEEN, but were ensnared in sin.
In any case, what light does this shed on salvation?! Some believers in the the Bible have been punished by death, but seemingly did not lose their salvation.

Salvation cannot be lost. Salvation can be tossed.

An apostate is one who does not come back. There is Scripture that explains this. But it is disregarded by many modern churches. Many think that something forces all prodigal sons back kicking and screaming against their will. This is not what the Bible teaches. The prodigal son repented, but apostates do not. There comes a point when the Spirit will no longer strive with a man.

John 6:66
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”


Hebrews 10:
26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


Hebrews 6:
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Sounds , like people who were misled by false teachers. Which would mean they were not taught the true gospel.
Therein, living a lie. Which would make them worse off than before.
Keeping in mind false teachers, like bona fide preachers , will answer for their teachings. Every word.

Scripture doesn't stand alone. Meaning, a verse is not singular in its import.
Scripture weaves a succinct narrative, a ta[eatery in a sense, of truths that culminate in the big picture. God's Sovereignty is eternal. And all is in his power.

Therein, I believe that passage in quotes above relates to 1 John 2:19.
They went out from us because they were not one of us.
False teaching misleading them is why.
God calls whom he will to himself. Pastors or no. False teachers know not his name.

Paul is writing that to warn believers who have the true gospel so they aren't led astray and lose their salvation.

2 Peter 2
1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

20If 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. 21It 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.

Fixed the typo. Tapestry, not, ta[eatery.< That sounds like an eatery in LA. 😆

Sounds , like people who were misled by false teachers. Which would mean they were not taught the true gospel.
Therein, living a lie. Which would make them worse off than before.
Keeping in mind false teachers, like bona fide preachers , will answer for their teachings. Every word.

Scripture doesn't stand alone. Meaning, a verse is not singular in its import.
Scripture weaves a succinct narrative, a tapestry in a sense, of truths that culminate in the big picture. God's Sovereignty is eternal. And all is in his power.

Therein, I believe that passage in quotes above relates to 1 John 2:19.
They went out from us because they were not one of us.
False teaching misleading them is why.
God calls whom he will to himself. Pastors or no. False teachers know not his name.

You forget the promises. Here's one. Those whom God calls to his grace and irrevocable Salvation.

''...And no one shall take them from my hand.''

If we can lose our salvation, just as the gospel details what salvation is, the new testament must also detail how all that transforms sinners into saints is nullified and reversed. As fair warning if we choose to be saved , there should be fair disclosure if we can choose to relinquish our salvation.
Please provide those passages for our discussion.

It’s a matter of when you receive the irrevocable gift of eternal life and when you are in God’s hand. You don’t have eternal life right now and neither do I. We have the conditional promise of eternal life in the age to come. If we remain faithful until the end we’ll get our gift.

Matthew 19
29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Luke 18
29“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

John 5
28Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 29and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Romans 2
7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

James 1
12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Totally agree; how do they (with more power than God?) nullify And Reverse


God's OPERATION On all HIS New-born babes In Christ
+
God's Eternal Assurance

Luke 20
35But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.