The question has been asked more times than not: Can I lose my salvation? As with all things, I believe the answer to be in the Bible.
I will be using a large amount of scriptures to support what I believe the Bible teachings. The reason I do this, is because I believe scripture should interpret/explain the true meaning of scripture. I would like to make sure that I do not bend scripture to my perception, but instead change my perception to fit scriptures. I am not writing this article to find out who is right or to be right, I am writing this article because I would like to find the answer, to a question I have been asking for some time.
I will be using a large amount of scriptures to support what I believe the Bible teachings. The reason I do this, is because I believe scripture should interpret/explain the true meaning of scripture. I would like to make sure that I do not bend scripture to my perception, but instead change my perception to fit scriptures. I am not writing this article to find out who is right or to be right, I am writing this article because I would like to find the answer, to a question I have been asking for some time.
Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - (John 6:47 KJV)
Paul said: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." - (Romans 10:9 KJV)
Texts like these make life so easy, but then we find texts that make us wonder. Texts that seem to contradict the previous texts. This is why it is so important to read the Bible as a whole and never create doctrines from single verses or segments.
Let’s have a look at another text that talks about the same subject, but from another angle:
Let’s have a look at another text that talks about the same subject, but from another angle:
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. - (Matthew 7:19-23 KJV)
There are many times that Jesus talks about people thinking they are saved and then they are cast in to hell on the Day of Judgment:
So does this mean that we are saved through our works? No, because true faith leads to works.
- The parable of the sower tells about people receiving the word and then falling away for different reasons. Only those truly rooted in Christ are those that bear fruit. - (Matthew 13:3-23)
- The parable of the unfaithful servants that were cut off for not doing what was expected of them. – (Matthew 24:42-51)
- The parables of the talents tells us very simply that if you don’t use what is given to you it will be taken away from you. - (Matthew 14-30)
- Jesus talks about the judgment where if you did not love and help your fellow man you will be sent away to hell. – (Matthew 25:31-46)
- The great commission – How much clearer can Jesus be when he says: Go tell the people to do what I have told them to do. - (Matthew 28:19-20)
So does this mean that we are saved through our works? No, because true faith leads to works.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. – (James 2:24 KJV)
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. – (James 2:17 KJV)
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. – (James 2:26 KJV)
I believe this to be best explained by the parable Jesus gave about the two sons:
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.- (Matthew 21:28-31 KJV)
Saying you believe doesn’t mean anything. Show me that you believe, because truly believing leads to doing what you say. The same as when someone says they will do something, but then never does it. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we give up our selfish lives and start living for Him. So if we just say we will but never do it is without profit.
Another way to explain it I believe is through the parable of the wedding guests in Matthew 22:2-14.
Long story short – At the end of the day everyone was invited to attend the wedding, but then the King sent some people away for not dressing for the occasion.
This isn’t about what you do, it is about doing what you can. Realizing the importance of the matter. Again it isn’t about works. We are saved through the grace of God and through the faith which He allows us to have, but only true faith, only saving faith results in actions. True faith produces fruits. One of the reasons for the sacrifice of Jesus is because we were unable to live the way God intended, but now that we have access to the Spirit we can.
Another way to explain it I believe is through the parable of the wedding guests in Matthew 22:2-14.
Long story short – At the end of the day everyone was invited to attend the wedding, but then the King sent some people away for not dressing for the occasion.
This isn’t about what you do, it is about doing what you can. Realizing the importance of the matter. Again it isn’t about works. We are saved through the grace of God and through the faith which He allows us to have, but only true faith, only saving faith results in actions. True faith produces fruits. One of the reasons for the sacrifice of Jesus is because we were unable to live the way God intended, but now that we have access to the Spirit we can.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. - (Romans 8:11 KJV)
Only if we have truly given our lives to Christ can we begin to live our lives the correct way. If we give everything we have then He will complete our effort. We see this in John 6:1-14 when the boy gave his 5 small loafs of bread and 2 fish for Jesus to use. He did not give enough to feed everyone, but he gave all that he had and God used what was given to Him and perfected it.
So then what works should I be doing? You already know. Everyone knows in our hearts, but we try to justify everything we do. It doesn’t matter in what situation you are in, it doesn’t matter what someone else did. There is an expectation on us to do what is right and live the Christian way. To seek what else God wants us to do every day.
So to conclude and to make sense of all of this. I think so many people are asking the wrong question. The question is not: "Can I lose my salvation?" The correct question is: "Am I saved?" The reason being, real faith produces fruit.
Paul, when writing to the Corinthians told them to examine themselves, to test whether they truly accepted Christ in to their lives (2 Corinthians 13:5). Jesus said we will know by our fruits. He said we should bear fruit.
So then what works should I be doing? You already know. Everyone knows in our hearts, but we try to justify everything we do. It doesn’t matter in what situation you are in, it doesn’t matter what someone else did. There is an expectation on us to do what is right and live the Christian way. To seek what else God wants us to do every day.
So to conclude and to make sense of all of this. I think so many people are asking the wrong question. The question is not: "Can I lose my salvation?" The correct question is: "Am I saved?" The reason being, real faith produces fruit.
Paul, when writing to the Corinthians told them to examine themselves, to test whether they truly accepted Christ in to their lives (2 Corinthians 13:5). Jesus said we will know by our fruits. He said we should bear fruit.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. - (John 5:14 KJV)
So does this mean it is too late… No, no, no! Why do you put up a warning sign? Or put up a stop sign? To warn people before it is too late. God is warning us so that we can be saved. If you are alive, you still have a chance. God wants to save us all (1 Timothy 2:4). He wants to perfect your your life, give what you have and stop trying to do it on your own. Make the right choice... Choose life !