Discussion question: Eternal Security?
This Sunday, we will be studying John 10:22-30. In this passage, Jesus says:
"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." (Jn 10:27-28 ESV)
So here is the question for discussion: Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation? What Bible passages lead you to that conclusion?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Josh
No I do not believe we can lose our salvation if we are truly saved (I won’t get into the professing vs. truly saved person because I think we’ve heard that argument many times, but I will say 1 John 2:19 backs up that point). One of the verses that I would use is the verse for the sermon, John 10:27-28, and I would stress the word “eternal”. If we could lose our salvation, why would it be called eternal? Shouldn’t it then be called “salvation unless you mess it up?” I would also ask the question, if you can lose your salvation, how would you? How can you keep it?
Ephesians 1: 13b-14 says "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit “guaranteeing our inheritance”.
Just knowing that God is our Father gives us a glimpse at his heart toward us. Our children can rebel against us, completely turn their backs on us and live a life that is completely contrary to what we would want for them, but that does not make them any less our child? God has a covenant with us, the “new covenant” and I believe once we are saved we are completely covered by the blood of Christ.
On the other hand Romans 5:21-6:2 is clear that grace does not give us a license to sin, which I think is part of the discussion about eternal security.
I have found a particular passage very troubling in believing that those I know are saved, but are not walking in the light, have not lost their salvation. It is Hebrews 6:4-6 which states "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame."
I noticed something when reading those verses though and reading the entire section in verses 1-8. First of all he’s talking about the need to move on to maturity in Christ. Then he finishes in verse 8 by talking about worthless things being burned in the fire. Also, the above quoted verse uses the word “repentance” and not “salvation”. Perhaps this passage means that God needs to work with some people, allowing the evil things rooted in them to be burned out or refined in order to move them on to maturity.
One other thing; I was pretty rebellious and if Jesus had taken me at certain times in my life I would have entered into his presence sorry and humiliated, but I would have known that I was in his presence only because of my belief in his atoning sacrifice and his amazing grace!
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