CAN CHRISTIANS LOSE THEIR SALVATION?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:27-29 ESV

The Son of God declared that those who are His followers will never perish or be snatched from His hand. Not only that, there security of salvation is with both the Father and Son. Truthfully, there’s no one who is as powerful as the Almighty God.

A Christian security in salvation is guaranteed by the promises of God. Therefore, the simple answer to the above question of, “Can Christians loose their salvation”? is No.

So let’s examine how do you become a Christian. We’ll also discover the role of good works in the Christian life and how those who leave the Christian faith never lost their salvation.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:2-9 ESV

Salvation is the work and power of God. It’s also a permanent change of condition that cannot be reversed but produces fruits through on going work of the Holy Spirit. It’s clearly stated in Scripture that it’s through the grace of God that a person can be saved.

Therefore, there’s no one who can boost of their salvation it’s through faith that comes from the Holy Spirit effectual call. Remarkably, salvation was planned by God from eternity past and He knew all those who will believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5).

The history of salvation can be traced back to the Old Testament and we understand that Abraham is the father of both Jews and Gentiles of the faith (Romans 4:2-3).

Furthermore, those who are saved are justified, meaning their standing before God is permanently changed. They are legally accepted by God and are granted the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

God seals them with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their position and future (Ephesians 1:13-14). Eternal life begins in knowing God through Christ and will continue forever in heaven (John 17:3). As salvation is the work of God through His foreknowledge, calling and justification, the question is, how should Christians live their lives (Romans 8:29-30).

THE CHRISTIAN IS A NEW CREATURE

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Firstly, there’s a fundamental change on a true Christian. They’re changed from the inside out and are born again (John 3:5-7). God gives them a new heart and His Spirit. As a result their desires and affections changes.

They’re now a new person, the old way of life had gone and they are made new. They are a new creature, adopted into God’s eternal family (Romans 8:15-16). Therefore, God’s will for His children is for them to be like His Son with the help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:29).

Amazingly, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the evidence of a true believer, nonetheless, there’s always going to be a struggle with sin but normally they wage war against sin (Galatians 5: 22-24, Romans 8:13). The ways of a true Christian should be that of holiness, their desires and actions are righteous living. They hunger and thirst for righteousness ( Matthew 5:6, 1 Peter 1:16). It’s important to know that they do good works because it flows from a heart of transformation.

They are saved for good works not by good works. If a Christian is not walking in holiness, then that person need to examine themselves if they are in the faith ( 2 Corinthians 13:5).

This is why, Christians should work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Through that they confirm their assurance of salvation but also show appreciation for the kindness and grace of God towards them (Philippians 2:10).

CAN A CHRISTIAN LOOSE HIS SALVATION?

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:26 ESV 

Why did James say that faith without works is dead faith. The simple answer is that those who don’t have works shows that they are not changed in the first place. If there’s no root, then there’s no fruit of salvation.

However, those who have genuine faith will demonstrate that faith through their life and actions. Reverent obedience and genuine love for God is the fruit of a transformed heart. What about those who abandon the faith and never repented and returned?

The answer is that, those who permanently leave the faith were never true believers ( 1 John 2:19). If a person has been truly regenerated then they will persevere to the end (Jude 1: 24).

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30 ESV

This is the golden chain of salvation it starts from eternity and completed in eternity. Paul speaks of those who are saved as if they’re already glorified. The reason for that is because the Father will not loose any of His children.

At the same time those who are new creatures will always love God and endure to the end. He who began a good work will complete it on the day of salvation. Christians are more than conquerors and nothing will separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). Finally, those who are saved will never loose their salvation and will be in glory with God forever ( 2 Timothy 4:18).