Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 5/20/2008

Question
Can someone lose their salvation if they want to??? I mean, they whole heartedly got saved, and then doubted and wanted to go Muslim, or something. Are they still saved if they chose not to believe in Jesus as God after they got saved? I believe that once a person gets saved, they're saved forever. But this is a tough one which someone pointed out to me. I would really like to know the answer. Please answer fully and giving proof. Thank-you soooo much,

Answer
Hi Chelaina,
  Thank you for your question.  Lots of people ask this question and there is a lot of confusion about what the Bible teaches.  The quick answer is that once a person becomes a child of God, they will always be God's child.  God grants eternal life to a  believer...they have ETERNAL life...meaning when eternal life is given it never ends.  They once saved a person is eternally saved.
   What is a person then begins to turn from God and refuses to believe any longer.
    Two possible answers to that....
    1. One they were never saved to begin with.  They could have prayed a prayer and with a "head" knowledge gave mental assent to the Gospel and asked for forgiveness and salvation.  However, Romans 10:10 says "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."   Saving faith comes from the heart.  A person believes with their mind, but conversion and salvation comes when the person in their heart believes.  God then changes their life meaning they are "born again" (See 2 Cor. 5:17).  God transforms them and makes them new and they are indwelled with the Holy Spirit.    So some want salvation, but many are not willing to let God control their lives and follow Him.  Jesus said, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."   (John 3:19-21)  Lots of people would like to go to heaven, but they are not willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

    Jesus also said, "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 7:21-23)

     2. The person is saved, but goes into sin and turns from the Lord.   Believers will sin and God says so.... 1 John 1:8-10 was written to believers....not to the unsaved...(see Chapter 2:1)   God saves to the saved....   "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us"  (1 John 1:8-10).

 If a child of God turns from the Lord the Lord will chasten him.  God says there is a sin unto death...which means physical death for believers if they refused to repent (turn from their sin) and confess it to the Lord.   God chastens unrepentant believers as Hebrews 12:6-11 clearly teaches.   1 Corinthians 11:29-32 describes the chastening of unrepentant Christians in the church in Corinth.   God says they did not discern the body of Christ.  That means they lived in open sin in disregard that Jesus had to suffer for the sins they committed every day.    They then knowing sin, knowing they are causing Jesus more suffering.   God said He chastened these people by making some of them sick and others He had taken their lives.    In an act of love God stopped them from continuing in sin and its destructive result by taking their lives.

 So to answer you question.    I Christian can turn from the Lord, but the Lord will never turn from His child.

    1 Corinthians 3:10-15 says at the BEMA judgment all believers will be judged.   Those that were not faithful or lived with unconfessed sin in their lives will not receive any reward...but verse 15 says...  "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."  (1 Corinthians 3:15)    In other words once a believer is truly saved he cannot lose the salvation God gives to him.    He can lose reward and quite honestly many believers will be solely ashamed when they meet the Lord face to face....

    When God says that "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)     He means "everlasting" or eternal life.    If God gives you eternal life....then it is eternal and cannot end. My article should clear up other questions you and your friend might have.  God bless you as you study God's word.

   I have a message at http://www.bible-truth.org/1JN5-14-21.html which addresses God chastening Christians.

   I hope this helps.  If you have further questions or comments please write.  God bless you as you serve the Savior.
Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2
http://bible-truth.org