One of the most debated topics within Christendom is eternal salvation, whether one can loose one’s salvation or not.
It seems to me the question is where are you when you die?
As for whether you can loose your salvation or not, I think it depends on your view of sovereignty of God. Is God in control or not? Does His plan include everything or not? How powerful and faithful is your God? Is He is the author and perfector faith (Hebrews 12:2)? He is the source of salvation for those who obey him (Hebrews 5:9). Does HE create a faith that fails? Is He unable to perfect your faith? Can God fail? He said you are sealed until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30)
I made a profession of faith when I was 15. I accepted Jesus as my savior. I spoke in tongues.
Was I saved? I dont think so. The reason being that I dont think I had faith, only emotions and belief. I fell away within 6 months. I got into many things occult, including worshipping other gods. I was one of those seeds that sprouted fast and then died quickly (Matthew 13:1-23). I was the one whose seed grew among the rocks and I was not fruitful. But more than 15 years later, as an adult, I made a surrender to Christ – a very different thing. I know Christ died for my sins – it has changed my life. I know I am saved. I know I sin. I know I repent. I know I will be in heaven with God on the day of redemption.
We must have faith to be saved (Luke 7:50) – this is belief (something that even demons have, see James 2:14-25) coupled with that something inexplicable that results in obedience. It is not our obedience that saves us, for then it would depend upon us. It is the faith that results in obedience that saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we do not have the habit of obedience, we will have a habit of disobedience. We know from 1 John 3:9 that those who continue to sin (live a life, a habit if you will, of sin) are not born of God. Our faith must have corresponding works, and both the faith and the works must persevere until the end (Acts 26:20; I Corinthians 15:2; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:12,14; Romans 1:5). But if we have this faith, we are saved and will not loose that salvation – for you will not be snatched from the hands of Jesus, not even by you yourself (John 10:27-29), and He will not drive you away (John 6:37).
If we are saved, it is because God chose us to be saved from the beginning (John 6:37; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). If we are saved, God will be faithful to sanctify us (1 Thessalonians 5:23-25). If we are saved, it is because GOD predestined us to be saved (Ephesians 1:5; Ephesians 1:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). If we are saved, God will conform us to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:28-30). Does God make mistakes?
Some feel that the doctrine of eternal security – that one can not loose one’s salvation – is nothing more than cheap grace. It is not about cheap grace, but about expensive grace. Christ DIED for me. I must die to myself daily. Its not me dying that saves me, but it gives evidence of the faith CHRIST authored in me. The fact that we can not lose our salvation speaks to the fact that we have been sealed by God until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), to the fact that God will be faithful to complete the work He began (Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 1:6).
Some use Hebrews 6:4-6 to say we can loose our salvation. But we must take all scripture together to determine how God feels or thinks in regards to any particular thing. God has made it clear no one can snatch us out of His hand – and this would include we ourselves. So then Hebrews 6:4-6 either talks about a hypothetical – if it were possible for your to loose your salvation, and you lost it, you would be unable to regain it, or it talks of someone whose repentance was not real or complete and who was part of the assembly and perhaps even participated in ministry with the Holy Spirit but not truly saved.
I’ve written a little on this before.
http://wbmoore.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/once-saved-always-saved-or-can-you-loose-your-salvation/
