Why I now believe that salvation can be lost.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Musicmaster

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2021
1,081
196
63
A man tells his wife, "Nothing will ever separate me from you" .
However, that doesn't keep the wife from divorcing her husband, no matter how great his love is for her.
When she does, she is legally separated from him from then on.
Blessedly, none of that governs the relationship the Lord has forged with us, in which He has said that He will never leave nor forsake us.

The idea of separation is anti-scriptural.

MM
 

NilsForChrist

Active member
Jan 31, 2023
180
86
28
Paul presented those verses as hypothetical scenarios, not to suggest that the saved could fall away, but to affirm and give assurances that they could not. This is clarified in verses 6:6 and 6:9. Verse 6:6 indicates that if someone saved were somehow able to fall away, it would then render the crucifixion of Christ ineffective, implying that human actions could override and be more powerful than those of Christ - even of God. In verse 9, Paul reinforces this by stating "better things of you, and things that accompany salvation," indicating that the cautions of verses 4 - 6 are not applicable to anyone saved. By stating, "though we thus speak," he emphasizes his purpose was to edify and give assurance of the unchangeable and immutable nature of their salvation - given that it was from and by God and not of themselves.

[Heb 6:6 KJV] 6 If 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.

[Heb 6:9 KJV] 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Nothing hypothetical about this. Once again, persuasion is no guarantee.
 

Musicmaster

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2021
1,081
196
63
I can relate. Like I've said a few times, I too had to wrestle with these verses and I too believed they were saying that we could lose our salvation. When you have the wrong perspective about not only Gods power, but our power, it leads to these kinds of mistakes. To low a view on the power of God paired with too high a view of the power of our will, was what lead me into this mistake. The biggest problem with this idea that we can lose salvation is the blatant FACT that saying this means that it's up to YOU to stay saved. The second you buy into this you're saying that being born-again is not being saved, it is God taking the whole weight of your salvation and dropping it right onto your shoulders, this puts it ALL on you, it's completely dependent on how you behave. Doesn't sound like a light yolk to me. This makes being saved a works based deal, and now it's not Gods grace that saves us, but our obedience. This is just false.

It's a false gospel and a garbage teaching and I pray God opens eye's and hearts to how absolutely false it is. It's not hard to think out with His guidance.
I continue to be amazed at how easily so many inject salvation into any and all negative items aimed at humanity, such as the one who denies Christ in this life will be denied by Him in eternity, even though the context is about rulership, not salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The false beliefs that some harbor, in that the Spirit of the Lord has weaknesses in His ability to hold us in His sealing, or that the Lord goes back on His word by the power of sin, the very sin He defeated on the cross...oh, man. These doubts are from the pits of Hell, and should be viewed as such for what they are.

MM
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,097
3,683
113
I continue to be amazed at how easily so many inject salvation into any and all negative items aimed at humanity, such as the one who denies Christ in this life will be denied by Him in eternity, even though the context is about rulership, not salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The false beliefs that some harbor, in that the Spirit of the Lord has weaknesses in His ability to hold us in His sealing, or that the Lord goes back on His word by the power of sin, the very sin He defeated on the cross...oh, man. These doubts are from the pits of Hell, and should be viewed as such for what they are.

MM
Amen for God's seal. The foundation is sure even when we do not remain faithful.

2 Timothy 2:
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
Maybe YOU can lose your salvation. John says if you leave it you never had it anyway, but that aside. I have been assured that I can't lose mine, by His word and AWESOME power and plan. I'd never serve the weak God you believe in. ANYONE that KNOWS the true power of God could never insult Him by arguing how weak and unable it is to save. No one. You are saying that we can have our eyes open to truth, to KNOW God is real and Jesus IS His Son, that we can be spiritual resurrected and reconciled to God in truth, and then turn from the truth, or be snatched out of His hand. I couldn't disagree more and I personally see this as an insult to His power, on the same level to me, as spitting in His face. I'm not trying to just jab at you, but what you're saying I see this way whole heartedly.

I do not understand how you can say God saved you and completely transformed you, that you've been saved, truly born-again, to KNOW firsthand the power of God, yet argue that you could turn from it. I don't believe that's possible, obviously you do, because you are so trying to sell the weakness and inability of God so hard. Why? I don't understand why you want to teach that being born-again is just a probation that starts your works based salvation, something that has been totally condemned from the very start of the way.
The proof text you keep pointing to are not clear enough in the face of all the text that directly contradicts them, to make them mean what you say they mean. You have to harmonize ALL His word when dealing with these issues, and I believe that is sorely missing from your interpretations of what these text mean.
“Maybe YOU can lose your salvation. John says if you leave it you never had it anyway,”

where does John say that ?
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,020
4,438
113
2:19 When the false teachers went out from among the believers, they revealed that they did not belong to the Christian community; they were never true believers.they … us: In the opening verses of this book, John made a distinction between weand you (1:1, 3). We, the apostles, were the eyewitnesses of Christ, you were the readers. That same distinction is probably maintained here (see also v. 20). Thus when John says these false teachers were not of us, he means they did not agree with the teaching of the apostles. These antichrists had departed from the apostolic churches, and their attitudes and actions were not of the apostolic persuasion. If they had been in harmony with the apostles, they would have remained in fellowship with them (1:1–3).

NKJV study notes.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
I can relate. Like I've said a few times, I too had to wrestle with these verses and I too believed they were saying that we could lose our salvation. When you have the wrong perspective about not only Gods power, but our power, it leads to these kinds of mistakes. To low a view on the power of God paired with too high a view of the power of our will, was what lead me into this mistake. The biggest problem with this idea that we can lose salvation is the blatant FACT that saying this means that it's up to YOU to stay saved. The second you buy into this you're saying that being born-again is not being saved, it is God taking the whole weight of your salvation and dropping it right onto your shoulders, this puts it ALL on you, it's completely dependent on how you behave. Doesn't sound like a light yolk to me. This makes being saved a works based deal, and now it's not Gods grace that saves us, but our obedience. This is just false.

It's a false gospel and a garbage teaching and I pray God opens eye's and hearts to how absolutely false it is. It's not hard to think out with His guidance.
“Like I've said a few times, I too had to wrestle with these verses and I too believed they were saying that we could lose our salvation. When you have the wrong perspective about not only Gods power, but our power, it leads to these kinds of mistakes.”

so this isn’t something we should believe ?

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”

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

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:6-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

your ihimosphy is to not believe what’s plainly stated by the apostles Paul and that’s how people can really understand ?
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,467
451
83
it does literally say it is not possible to be renewed again.
No. It literally says it is impossible to bring them to repentance: passive voice.

While "it is impossible to swallow a a foot long fish whole", is true;
"It is impossible for a foot long fish to be swallowed whole," is not true.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,467
451
83
How many times have you been saved? Have you ever been separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus?

Nothing gives me the right. I'm just sharing what God has declared: nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Once in Christ there is no way out. If you want to believe you can fall away, I'm OK with it. But you are saying you can do something that God says you can't. Further, you are counting on your own continued sinless behavior to keep you saved. You have never found rest in Him.
"Nothing" is not the same as "no other creation / created thing",
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,640
564
113
Nothing hypothetical about this. Once again, persuasion is no guarantee.
Edification. There are many examples of it - it is how the elect/saved are taught things spiritual. God is the guarantee.

[Eph 4:29-30 KJV] 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,467
451
83
If you can't show that one can be separated from being in Christ Jesus o
6If a man abide not (does no keep on abiding) in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
18,884
6,480
113
62
6If a man abide not (does no keep on abiding) in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
You obviously don't understand the covenant we are in. I explained in post #4097. Under what stipulation of the new covenant can God separate from us?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
Do you think that has anything to do with this brother ?

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

then to the disciples John says

Do not love the world or anything in the world. ( instruction don’t do this )

If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us;

but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-20‬ ‭

Brother John is saying the same things Jesus said if you don’t remain in his doctrine it’s revealing that you don’t belong to him. Same thing I e been quoting same thing with “ if we willfully keep sinning there’s no sacrifice for sins left just judgement ect they also by thier actions parting from him reveal who they are and who they belong to .



When Christian’s go out and start preaching alternate gospels that reject the lord and his way of salvation it’s showing them to be a fraud. Those scriptures don’t say anything about salvstion having it or losing it . It’s disciples who turn away showing thier allegiance to the world.



“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:1, 4‬ ‭

Johns again talking about the Holy Ghost being in us from Christs doctrine same thing Jesus told us would happen if we believe him

The one who is in you he gets in you from the gospel when we believe

““If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. ( the annointing in us )

The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:15-17, 23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John is speaking from his gospel to people who believed it and followed


.Brother sometimes people believe in Jesus and then they realize when they hear his doctrine it’s going to change things for them they see Jesus calling for things like love of money list greed ect and at that point they stop they turn back and never bear fruit

This is actually what’s going on since the gospel is being preached

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not consider it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. ( not god causing it )

This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. ( not god causing it )

When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:19-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

it’s the word of the gospel and our response to it god isn’t causing anyone to be damned or forcing anyone to be saved he’s given the choice to us all

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭

that’s true for every living soul it’s not saying “ God has already determined what your going to do good and bad and then he’s going to blame you and punish you for what he caused

It’s saying clearly to everyone willing to listen and believe “ one day you are going to have to stand before Jesus and receive e writhing that you have done in his sight good or bad “

thats the entire reason for the gospel gods trying to save us from the coming judgement because we’ve all sinned believers non believers everyone is in the same group and needs to accept the gospel it’s the only thing on earth that can save anyone on earth

But I don’t know brother I don’t think it’s saying “ either your saved or you aren’t there’s nothing you can do about it “

i think the opposite it’s saying no matter who you are if you believe the gospel you shall be saved !
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
It is clear that nothing means nothing...not any thing.
If you deeply love someone and they reject you and go away from you and then die in a terrible way …….is it because you failed them ?

we can reject his love , those secure are the ones who return his love as he said through repentance and obedience to the gospel

if a fether provides all his children needs and then they choose to go away and things happen it’s not because he refused them to be home it’s because they chose something else
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,555
652
113
Is God not faithful? How do you reconcile this with the fact that Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us?
Everything stated here is God's side of the covenant....not our side of it.
Romans 1:31 states that covenantbreakers will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.
NO covenant with God is a one-sided event.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,806
29,185
113
I continue to be amazed at how easily so many inject salvation into any and all negative items aimed at humanity, such as the
one who denies Christ in this life will be denied by Him in eternity, even though the context is about rulership, not salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation
: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The false beliefs that some harbor, in that the Spirit of the Lord has weaknesses in His ability to hold us
in His sealing, or that the Lord goes back on His word by the power of sin, the very sin He defeated on the
cross...oh, man. These doubts are from the pits of Hell, and should be viewed as such for what they are.

MM

Ephesians 1:13-14
:)