Eternal Security: Can a Christian Lose Their Salvation?
Posted March, 21, 2017
The question is not asking if we can lose our salvation as if we had lost our car keys or misplaced our glasses. Though this is a matter of responsibility the questions that comes to people's minds is, "What part do I play in my salvation?" and "Can't God save me and keep me in his salvation and if He can't does that mean he is not all powerful?" Scripture is very clear that God is the author and provider of our salvation just as He is the author and give of life and Lord of all creation. What is difficult for people to grasp onto is that we are called to His salvation, invited, therefore, the issue leads to the notion of whether God's grace can be refused, making His grace irresistible. That is another issue with Calvinism that will be dealt with later.
Before I continue on with the topic of forfeiting our salvation allow me to cover some issues about dealing with Scripture in general. What I have found is that many people handle the Scriptures the same way they are looking at a freshly emptied puzzle box. Closely looking at the scattered pieces trying to figure which piece is which hoping to identity the entire puzzle by merely looking at the individual parts. Attempting to interpret based on the small parts to come to a clear conclusion as to what is sitting before them. To grasp a fuller understanding of the scriptures as a whole and by its individual parts is called Scriptural Synergy, the whole of the Scripture is greater than the sum of its individual passages. You cannot comprehend the Bible as a whole without comprehending its individual parts, and you cannot comprehend its individual parts without comprehending the Bible as a whole. Individual passages of Scripture are synergistic rather than deflective with respect to the whole of Scripture. Scriptural Synergy demands that individual Bible passages may never be interpreted in such a way as to conflict with the whole of Scripture. Nor may we assign arbitrary meanings to words or phrases or topics that have their reference in biblical history. The biblical interpreter must keep in mind that all Scripture, though communicated through various human instruments, has a single author, and that Author does not contradict Himself, nor does He confuse His servants.
In other words we have to consider the entire Bible when we study. We simply cannot go through and pick out scripture that supports our views or convictions without considering those that may change how and what we think of our Spirituality. We must open ourselves to change that the Holy Spirit is going to make in us through the study of the Scriptures. When we build a house that has brick involved in the building process and that house has a brick fireplace we need to keep in mind that no matter what the brick is used to build whether that is the fire place or the foundation a brick is a brick. Consider the wood that is used, all walls are made of wood but not all walls are interior walls.
When dealing with the issue of eternal security something that many fail to recognize is how much of what they believe about is actually developed from a theological view that looks at scripture through the scope of theology rather than viewing their theology through the scope of scripture. The usually explanation for their view is they grew up believing this teaching. In other words, they heard their pastor teach it. The problem is due to biblical illiteracy these very same people have never gone back to their Bible to see if what is being taught is true. Let’s not forget the Bereans in Acts 17 did not merely take Paul’s words but searched the Scriptures to see if what he said was true. We need to do the same thing with the things we hear from the pulpit.
Now, before I go into what the Scriptures says about forfeiting our salvation allow me to bring light to some of the biblical text that are used to support the teaching that a Christian cannot fall from God’s grace. This teaching views the idea of salvation from one point of view, God’s side. They refuse to look at us. Why is that? Calvinist believe that no one is saved less God calls them and if God’s does not call you then you cannot be saved. (John 6:44) Here is the problem with that. The gospel message does not necessarily go out to one individual at a time. I would find it difficult to believe that anyone in the United States does not know what a Church is or has not heard of the Bible. If you speak to people about what the Bible says I am sure they will tell you something they have heard at some point of their life but have never actually sat down to read and study what the Bible actually says.
The teaching of eternal security has the false notion that once a person willingly surrenders their life over to God they are kept secure and there is no chance that they could ever fall from grace. One popular text, if not the most popular, that many who believe in eternal security uses is from Romans 8: 37 to 39, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I encourage you to read that text over many times and see what is and is not there. As I read the text over several time I come to find out that this is not about God’s salvation but is about remaining in Christ regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in because God loves us. Paul is speaking about perseverance, staying the course. This isn’t the first time Paul has written on this subject. God's love is eternal and is offered to us through His Son. The word many Calvinist fail to see in this text is the word “love.” The word they focus on the most is “separate.” Rather than “love,” what they hear is salvation, that nothing can separate us from God’s salvation. The problem with their understanding of this text is that we did not have to come to accept Christ for God to start loving us. He loved us while we were still sinners. (John 3:16) God’s love was demonstrated through His Son on the cross.
Another text Calvinist use to justify eternal security is nothing can “snatch” us out of the Father’s hand. (John 10) Again, this is looking at the issue form a single point of view. There is nothing more powerful than God that can simply come about and remove us from Him willfully. Even Satan did not simply approach Adam and Eve in the garden and remove them from what God had placed them in. His deception, his twisting of God’s word convinced Eve to take the fruit that was prohibited to eat and partake in it and give it to her husband who was willing to take of it as well. They disobeyed God willingly and the consequences were life altering. They were under God’s protection and yet they disobeyed. Satan did not force the two people out of the garden. What happened is Satan took something that looked good (Genesis 3:6) and lied about the consequences. God knew that this would happen yet He did not make Adam and Eve disobey Him. He did not make the enemy deceive them but He allowed it to happen.
Calvinists blatantly twist scripture to justify eternal security. Scripture is very clear that people can and will depart from their relationship with God and face consequences for their choice. So why do Calvinist insist on mishandling Scripture when their theology is contrary to what Scripture says? For today’s Calvinist the reason could very well be traditional teachings and an unwillingness to see what Scripture is actually saying.
Paul writes to Timothy, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12) This text illustrates that there is a point of responsibility that we need to take in maintaining our salvation. Paul deals with this issue in 1 Corinthians 9 talking about running the race and fighting as a boxer. There is a purpose for our efforts. We do not act this way to maintain our salvation or to stay in but to maintain focus on our relationship with Christ and to overcome the world leading to a Spirit filled productive life.
Calvinist continue to only view God’s part in the salvation process, His righteousness, His justification and sanctification for us, His grace to us. As long as I continue to seek God and obey His commands I remain in Him and He in me, I become fruitful. Yet, if my life is not bearing spiritual fruit I will be cut off. (John 15:2) My ability to produce spiritual fruit is evidence that I am His disciple and He is glorified by it. (John 15:8) In John 15 Jesus uses the word abide (ESV) or remain (NIV, NASB). The Greek word is meinate, which is translated "remain." This is the only place in the gospels where meinate indicates remaining in an interpersonal relationship instead of remaining in a physical place. Only here is the word used in a relationship atmosphere. In other areas the word is connected with a geographical location. To remain or abide in Him is on our part, it is our will and desire to do so, not God forcing us to remain in Him.
In Paul’s letter to Timothy he shares that, “the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:1-5) See there at the beginning Paul states that “some will depart from the faith.” How can one depart from something if they were not part of it to begin with? Why would Paul make such a statement if forfeiting our salvation is not possible?
Peter shares the same sentiments, “For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.” (2 Peter 2:21) Again, how can you turn away or turn back from that which you were part of to begin with if there is not possibility? If one wasn’t part of something there is nothing to turn away from or to depart from. The word “known” here is the same as in having a relationship, not that of being able to identify something. In the beginning in order to “know” God was to keep his commands, the Laws of Moses. When Christ came He brought grace that took over where the Law was limited in doing. However, when the church started to move across the known world many Jews tried to convince the early church that they needed to continue to follow the Law. Paul warns about this. If they continued to observe the Law they are severed from Christ and have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4) This is the reason we need to keep our focus on Christ, to be fruitful and overcome the world. We need to remain faithful to Him who has called us.
Hebrews also deals with this topic of departing from the faith. Hebrews 3: 12 says, "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God." The author is warning the readers of his letter to be careful that no false teaching will cause them to "fall away from the living God." Here is a question I ask again, if a Christian cannot forefeet their salvation why would the author give such a warning? The author doesn't stop there. Later in his letter to the Hebrews he writes, "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." (vv. 4-8) The author is speaking of individuals who once lived the Christian life but have returned to the former life they once lived prior to confessing Jesus as Lord. The author make a clear point that once they do return to their former selves that it is impossible to restore them again to repentance because they are crucifying our Lord again and this leads to consequences. This is not the first time New Testament authors have given warning about taking our relationship with Christ for granted. Even taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner has consequences.
There is nothing to can take our salvation way or remove us from His grace but we have the free will to turn from it. God does not force people to follow him. We have to be mindful that the price to follow Him is great and if the worries of the world are more important to you then you need to reconsider your relationship with Him. I pray that no one will turn away but scripture is clear that many will.
The question is not asking if we can lose our salvation as if we had lost our car keys or misplaced our glasses. Though this is a matter of responsibility the questions that comes to people's minds is, "What part do I play in my salvation?" and "Can't God save me and keep me in his salvation and if He can't does that mean he is not all powerful?" Scripture is very clear that God is the author and provider of our salvation just as He is the author and give of life and Lord of all creation. What is difficult for people to grasp onto is that we are called to His salvation, invited, therefore, the issue leads to the notion of whether God's grace can be refused, making His grace irresistible. That is another issue with Calvinism that will be dealt with later.
Before I continue on with the topic of forfeiting our salvation allow me to cover some issues about dealing with Scripture in general. What I have found is that many people handle the Scriptures the same way they are looking at a freshly emptied puzzle box. Closely looking at the scattered pieces trying to figure which piece is which hoping to identity the entire puzzle by merely looking at the individual parts. Attempting to interpret based on the small parts to come to a clear conclusion as to what is sitting before them. To grasp a fuller understanding of the scriptures as a whole and by its individual parts is called Scriptural Synergy, the whole of the Scripture is greater than the sum of its individual passages. You cannot comprehend the Bible as a whole without comprehending its individual parts, and you cannot comprehend its individual parts without comprehending the Bible as a whole. Individual passages of Scripture are synergistic rather than deflective with respect to the whole of Scripture. Scriptural Synergy demands that individual Bible passages may never be interpreted in such a way as to conflict with the whole of Scripture. Nor may we assign arbitrary meanings to words or phrases or topics that have their reference in biblical history. The biblical interpreter must keep in mind that all Scripture, though communicated through various human instruments, has a single author, and that Author does not contradict Himself, nor does He confuse His servants.
In other words we have to consider the entire Bible when we study. We simply cannot go through and pick out scripture that supports our views or convictions without considering those that may change how and what we think of our Spirituality. We must open ourselves to change that the Holy Spirit is going to make in us through the study of the Scriptures. When we build a house that has brick involved in the building process and that house has a brick fireplace we need to keep in mind that no matter what the brick is used to build whether that is the fire place or the foundation a brick is a brick. Consider the wood that is used, all walls are made of wood but not all walls are interior walls.
When dealing with the issue of eternal security something that many fail to recognize is how much of what they believe about is actually developed from a theological view that looks at scripture through the scope of theology rather than viewing their theology through the scope of scripture. The usually explanation for their view is they grew up believing this teaching. In other words, they heard their pastor teach it. The problem is due to biblical illiteracy these very same people have never gone back to their Bible to see if what is being taught is true. Let’s not forget the Bereans in Acts 17 did not merely take Paul’s words but searched the Scriptures to see if what he said was true. We need to do the same thing with the things we hear from the pulpit.
Now, before I go into what the Scriptures says about forfeiting our salvation allow me to bring light to some of the biblical text that are used to support the teaching that a Christian cannot fall from God’s grace. This teaching views the idea of salvation from one point of view, God’s side. They refuse to look at us. Why is that? Calvinist believe that no one is saved less God calls them and if God’s does not call you then you cannot be saved. (John 6:44) Here is the problem with that. The gospel message does not necessarily go out to one individual at a time. I would find it difficult to believe that anyone in the United States does not know what a Church is or has not heard of the Bible. If you speak to people about what the Bible says I am sure they will tell you something they have heard at some point of their life but have never actually sat down to read and study what the Bible actually says.
The teaching of eternal security has the false notion that once a person willingly surrenders their life over to God they are kept secure and there is no chance that they could ever fall from grace. One popular text, if not the most popular, that many who believe in eternal security uses is from Romans 8: 37 to 39, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I encourage you to read that text over many times and see what is and is not there. As I read the text over several time I come to find out that this is not about God’s salvation but is about remaining in Christ regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in because God loves us. Paul is speaking about perseverance, staying the course. This isn’t the first time Paul has written on this subject. God's love is eternal and is offered to us through His Son. The word many Calvinist fail to see in this text is the word “love.” The word they focus on the most is “separate.” Rather than “love,” what they hear is salvation, that nothing can separate us from God’s salvation. The problem with their understanding of this text is that we did not have to come to accept Christ for God to start loving us. He loved us while we were still sinners. (John 3:16) God’s love was demonstrated through His Son on the cross.
Another text Calvinist use to justify eternal security is nothing can “snatch” us out of the Father’s hand. (John 10) Again, this is looking at the issue form a single point of view. There is nothing more powerful than God that can simply come about and remove us from Him willfully. Even Satan did not simply approach Adam and Eve in the garden and remove them from what God had placed them in. His deception, his twisting of God’s word convinced Eve to take the fruit that was prohibited to eat and partake in it and give it to her husband who was willing to take of it as well. They disobeyed God willingly and the consequences were life altering. They were under God’s protection and yet they disobeyed. Satan did not force the two people out of the garden. What happened is Satan took something that looked good (Genesis 3:6) and lied about the consequences. God knew that this would happen yet He did not make Adam and Eve disobey Him. He did not make the enemy deceive them but He allowed it to happen.
Calvinists blatantly twist scripture to justify eternal security. Scripture is very clear that people can and will depart from their relationship with God and face consequences for their choice. So why do Calvinist insist on mishandling Scripture when their theology is contrary to what Scripture says? For today’s Calvinist the reason could very well be traditional teachings and an unwillingness to see what Scripture is actually saying.
Paul writes to Timothy, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12) This text illustrates that there is a point of responsibility that we need to take in maintaining our salvation. Paul deals with this issue in 1 Corinthians 9 talking about running the race and fighting as a boxer. There is a purpose for our efforts. We do not act this way to maintain our salvation or to stay in but to maintain focus on our relationship with Christ and to overcome the world leading to a Spirit filled productive life.
Calvinist continue to only view God’s part in the salvation process, His righteousness, His justification and sanctification for us, His grace to us. As long as I continue to seek God and obey His commands I remain in Him and He in me, I become fruitful. Yet, if my life is not bearing spiritual fruit I will be cut off. (John 15:2) My ability to produce spiritual fruit is evidence that I am His disciple and He is glorified by it. (John 15:8) In John 15 Jesus uses the word abide (ESV) or remain (NIV, NASB). The Greek word is meinate, which is translated "remain." This is the only place in the gospels where meinate indicates remaining in an interpersonal relationship instead of remaining in a physical place. Only here is the word used in a relationship atmosphere. In other areas the word is connected with a geographical location. To remain or abide in Him is on our part, it is our will and desire to do so, not God forcing us to remain in Him.
In Paul’s letter to Timothy he shares that, “the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:1-5) See there at the beginning Paul states that “some will depart from the faith.” How can one depart from something if they were not part of it to begin with? Why would Paul make such a statement if forfeiting our salvation is not possible?
Peter shares the same sentiments, “For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.” (2 Peter 2:21) Again, how can you turn away or turn back from that which you were part of to begin with if there is not possibility? If one wasn’t part of something there is nothing to turn away from or to depart from. The word “known” here is the same as in having a relationship, not that of being able to identify something. In the beginning in order to “know” God was to keep his commands, the Laws of Moses. When Christ came He brought grace that took over where the Law was limited in doing. However, when the church started to move across the known world many Jews tried to convince the early church that they needed to continue to follow the Law. Paul warns about this. If they continued to observe the Law they are severed from Christ and have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4) This is the reason we need to keep our focus on Christ, to be fruitful and overcome the world. We need to remain faithful to Him who has called us.
Hebrews also deals with this topic of departing from the faith. Hebrews 3: 12 says, "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God." The author is warning the readers of his letter to be careful that no false teaching will cause them to "fall away from the living God." Here is a question I ask again, if a Christian cannot forefeet their salvation why would the author give such a warning? The author doesn't stop there. Later in his letter to the Hebrews he writes, "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." (vv. 4-8) The author is speaking of individuals who once lived the Christian life but have returned to the former life they once lived prior to confessing Jesus as Lord. The author make a clear point that once they do return to their former selves that it is impossible to restore them again to repentance because they are crucifying our Lord again and this leads to consequences. This is not the first time New Testament authors have given warning about taking our relationship with Christ for granted. Even taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner has consequences.
There is nothing to can take our salvation way or remove us from His grace but we have the free will to turn from it. God does not force people to follow him. We have to be mindful that the price to follow Him is great and if the worries of the world are more important to you then you need to reconsider your relationship with Him. I pray that no one will turn away but scripture is clear that many will.
