Can You Lose Your Salvation

This question was asked of me in personal email but the writer said it could be forward on so here it is, in the midst of our discussion area.

In institute, I did a paper on this subject. My position was on the side that you could not lose your salvation once you really received it from God...question was if you had received it!!!

The teacher, now a Bishop of the Church, received all papers and did not judge them on the position but rather on the theological soundness of the arguement. It seems this is one of those questions we may never have answered with certainly until God's words fall lightly upon our ears.

But since it was asked, I again throw it out for discussion.

The writer said: "I have a couple of questions I would like to address to the A.M.E. Church. Please answer or forward these questions as you may deem necessary.

Thank You!

Can you lose your salvation?

How can you be sure you will spend eternity with God?

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

Answers

The theologians down through the ages have debated salvation and have consequently divided themselves into various schools of thought on this doctrine. If one does not accept Jesus Christ as ones saviour, most theologians agree that the individual will have eternal separation of his soul from God when he physically dies. If one accepts Jesus Christ as his saviour then it would seem that if the individual could still go to hell that Jesus would have said so in the Bible. However, there are some theologians who believe that a person is not truly saved until Jesus judges them and sends them to Heaven. There are other theologians who believe that salvation is mystical in the sense that based upon ones confession of sin and repentance and faith that one can receive God's gift. It is mystical as opposed to the priestly conversion of the apostle Paul because he actually heard the voice of Jesus and was blinded by His presence. Finally, Jesus said that "blaspheming against the Holy Spirit" was the only sin that would not be forgiven. So, I challenge anyone out there to find scriptures in the Bible that state that one saved by blood of Jesus Christ can still go to hell.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

This is by no means an answer to your challenge.

It was Paul, I believe that said it is his desire above all things that all men might be saved. Of course we know that is not going to happen, but it should be our desire. And to search for ways that a blood bought Christian to lose their salvation is beyond me.

You did mention blaspheming the Holy Spirit as the sin that cannot be forgiven. I believe that only a believer or Christian can blaspheme. This tells me that as Christians we must guard our salvation, being careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians warns us not to grieve it because it is the spirit that seals us unto the day of remdemption.(Eph. 4:30)

It is an interesting discussion, because just in Sunday School we studied about the Conference in Jerusalem where the Jews wanted to say the Gentiles were not saved because they were not circumcised. The conclusion was they were saved and received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews. You can't take that away from them. James, however, did gives specific rules that should be adhered to. Does that mean that if they don't abstain from fornication, and eating things strangle, or offered to idols, that they will lose their salvation? I personally believe that if we want the abundant life (here) which Jesus desires for us, we, as Christians should try to walk pleasing to God. Following the teaching of the Apostles.

I would hate to think that I could be so careless with this free gift of salvation that I received by no doing of my own, that I could lose it. Have you ever loss something very precious, and to this day you cannot find it? Perhaps if the answer is yes, you might apply in the spirit what was done in the natural. How well did you guard your gift?

Paul said Can we continue in sin because grace abounds? His answer was God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein (Rom. 6:2) Again, I think the key word in live. If we intend to live (down here) in a harmonious walk with God, it is to our advantage not to be a servant to sin. Further on in the verse it says to whom ye yield yourselves servants to bey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin uno death, or of obedience unto righteousness.

Having read this I have to stress that we guard, or work out our salvation with fear and trembling. When we find, that we are in error, confess our faults, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of all of our sins.

I want to be a servant of Jesus Christ, walking in the power and authority that allows me to have the abundant life on this side of heaven. So I am going to strive for perfection. I will err, but will find myself in a repentant state. Will I lose my salvation if I don't strive, or not repent of my wrong doing, I hope not, but I don't think I would care to risk losing a gift that is so precious, by assuming that I will always have it.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

In our natural state, we are already separated from God, hellbound, etc. Accepting the salvation of Christ then saves us. The question is: Can one then reject that which he/she has truly accepted? I think not. Behavior before and after salvation has no bearing where you spend eternity. True believers are so grateful for such a salvation that they strive after God and godliness. We fall, but the grace of God picks us up constantly. Thank God for GRACE, otherwise we are all lost.

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

As the song says. "Amazing Grace shall always be my song of Praise For it was grace that bought my liberty. I do not know just how He came to love me so. He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to calvary. To view the cross where Jesus died for me. How marvelous, the grace that caught my falling soul. He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs."

Thank you Pastor Paris for saying it so well.

In Christ,

Carmen

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2001

I've read Pastor Paris comments and he leans towards once saved always saved.

Back slidders who are non repentant loose their salvation. I am in deed saved when judgement has be undergone, and Jesus declares where my soul rests for eternity.

If GOD continues to pick us up over and over again despite our committing the same old sinful acts, the grace is indeed cheap! repitition

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

The key word I took out of Pastor Paris' comment was a TRUE believer. I believe if we are truly living under the grace of God and striving to leave godly, like the scripture says we cannot be plucked out of our father's hands.

I thought about the rest of his comment about not thinking one can reject his/or gift if they truly accepted it. And his point about our past and future behaviors have no bearing on where we will spend eternity. It really sound good to me and he words things so well; but I was convicted. This discussion board has a lot of readers and I just wouldn't want to leave the impression that I think our behaviors have no bearing on where we spend eternity.

So I will have to go back to my original comment that I believe we should gaurd our gift. I believe it was Paul who spoke of someone who had fallen by the way. He also speaks of reprobates, who conscious is seared and cannot repeat. Believing a lie rather than the truth. These people started out as Christians. When we find ourselves in a sinful condition, we should repent.

On the other hand I do agree with the fact that no matter how righteous we think we are living, all God will see is that we are covered under the blood of Jesus. Without that blood we are truly unrighteous and full of sin.

Last night the parable of the ten virgins came to mind. I believe all ten were saved and looking for the bridegroom to come, but five thought enough to purchase oil to keep their lamps burning of five, procrastinated about the oil and the bridegroom came. They couldn't go with the bridegroom.

Because the souls of men are so important, I need to be sure how I respond on this board. I don't want to be a stumbling block to no one. My prayer is that we all strive to live godly before God in this present world. And by doing so we gain so much power in order to be effective and draw others to Christ. There's much evil present, and many souls that need to be touched.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Thanx to everyone so far who has posted responses to this very delicate question. I truly appreciate it.

We have been studying this question in our Bible Study Sessions the past few weeks.

I still have so much more studying to do on the matter. But one thing I know for sure; as long as I continue to live for Christ and seek His will in my life, I have no need to worry about salvation for myself. I know God loves me and the Holy Spirit guides me each day. My life is full of convictions and yet I have a joy and peace that I can't begin to explain.

God is truly awesome and I Praise Him for sending Jesus Christ down here to earth to carry me home despite knowing who I was and what choices I would make.

Again, Thank you all for your time and words. I encourage anyone to continue to post to this topic, as I will continue to study what the Lord would have me to understand regarding this topic.

May God reveal Himself in your lives like you never thought possible!

Terry-Lynn!!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

This is the basis of what I believe. What part of John 3:16-18 do we reject when we base our salvationon works. If we are truly saved, we will produce the work(s) [Behaviors, etc.] of God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith produces works, works do not produce faith.

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

God Bless,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001

Brother William Howard Smith,

I believe in " Once saved always saved". I also believe that if a person is sincere about their confession on their day of salvation that God almighty knows it. One may deceive others about whether or not they are saved but no one can deceive God almighty about whether he or she is saved. Does my eternal security give me the license to sin? Absolutely, not!!! For I know that sin separates me from God. Have you ever had a tribulation where you felt you could not feel the presence of God? I had a test last year for about six months and it was terrible not feeling the presence of God. Therefore, why would I purposely sin against God knowing that sin separates me from God. On the other hand, for all the prodigal sons and daughters out there, God's grace and mercy is so powerful, that He is waiting to restore all those unrepentant souls to their previous relationship with Him.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001

Hi Pastor Paris and others,

Thank you so much for your time, I truly appreciate it. In regards to part of your(Pastor Paris') response, "If we are truly saved, we will produce the work(s) [Behaviors, etc.] of God.", what does 1 Corithnians 3:10-15 say to you?

This makes me wonder whether or not "works or behaviors" will indicate whether or not we are "truly saved".

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (KJV) 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001

Amen, Amen, Amen

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Bro William Smith, I think you forget what Christ talk about concerning forgiveness. And what the writer of Proverbs says about a "just man". The writer of Proverbs calls a man "JUST" who falls 7 times. We would called that person evil or a sinner. What makes that persons JUST is this....They get up again. Jesus talk about forgiveness. Told Peter to forgive 70 x 7. No one will possibly sin against you 490 times a day. The point is to forgive no matter how many times one sin against you. If God desire that of us, wat about Himself. His Grace is given and NOT cheaten by how many times we fall into sin. He has grace that IS greater than ALL sin. And can and is willing to forgive us when we come to him.

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001

We should discuss God's election.  He is sovereign in the fact He chose us in Him before even creating the world.  When we "get up again" as Pastor Thomas said ,  it is only because G-d works both the will and the to do of his good pleasure in us, don't you think?  I think the teachings of Calvin, Luther, Augustan and Paul himself confirms this fascinating and intriguing doctrine.  His grace, even in this informational age, is still misunderstood and desperately needs sharing in both it's simplicity and fullness.  BTW (by the way), I believe scripture teaches we (mankind) is totally depraved, in that sin is firmly entrenched in our total being...thinking, emotions and our will.  We cannot come to a knowledge of G-d unless He reveals himself through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-5)

More later...

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001