Tough Questions:
Is it Possible to Lose Your Salvation?

September 25, 2005 - Rev. Rurel Ausley

John 10:28, 29; Rom. 8:35, 37-39; John 15:1-6; Col. 1:21-23; Matt. 24:11-13

1. Do you know someone who has given his or her life to Christ at some point but now they are not living for Him at all? What about someone who claims to be a Christian, but does not live like one at all? Is it possible that with out free will we can choose Christ and, for whatever reason, with that same free will we can reject Christ?? Are we freer after accepting Christ or before? (John 8:36)

2. Read these Scripture verses: John 5:24; John 10:28, 29; Rom. 8:37-39. What do these verses have to say to us about the security of the believer? When does eternal life begin for the believer? (John 5:24) How important is it to know that you have eternal life? (1 John 5:11-13) Does God want us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have eternal life? Why? What does it mean to you to know that you have eternal life?

3. The question that confronts us today is: "Can a person who has chosen Christ at one point, later decide that they no longer want to live for Him, and therefore forfeit their eternal life?" (Ex. Charles Templeton, early evangelist with Billy Graham, wrote Farewell to God about why he is not a Christian).

4. What is the problem with the teaching that if once you become a Christian then there is no way that you can ever choose to turn your back on God and forfeit your salvation? (Rev. 3:5) If we say that someone who turns away never really was a Christian, when would all of us know if we really are Christians? Would we have to wait until we die to make sure that we had not turned away? How can someone who is a Christian live in defiance of God’s will and remain a Christian? What does James have to say about our life measuring up with our faith? (James 1:12; 2:21-23) When we excuse our sin as Christians how does this cheapen God’s view of sin? (Rom. 6:1-4) How could a false sense of security lead one to a life of sin, complacency, and lack of persevering? (Rev. 2:11; 3:5; 21:7)

5. The Bible has lots of warnings about falling away. If there is no chance of being cut off, would not these exhortations be meaningless? (Read John 15:1-6) Who is this addressed to, Christians or non-Christians? What happens to the branch that does not remain in Christ? Why does Jesus exhort them to "remain in him"? Read Matt. 24:11-13. Who are the ones who will be saved? (Read Col. 1:21-23) What happens to those "if you continue in your faith"? What does that mean? Read Heb. 3:6, 12-14. Who will share in Christ? What does it mean "if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first"?

6. Lets look at some examples. Read 2 Peter 2:20-22. What is Peter saying about those who have escaped and then got entangled again? What does he mean "they are worse off"? Read 1 Tim.1:18-20. Who has shipwrecked their faith? What is being encouraged in these verses? Why? Read Rev. 2:1-7. What will happen to those who forsake their first love?

7. So, what kind of assurance and security does the believer have? (John 1:12) The question is not, "Is the believer secure?" but, rather, "What is a believer?" Why is the moment of decision for Christ just the beginning? Why is saving faith not just the "act of a moment" (at age 15) but the "attitude of a lifetime"? The initial decision must be continually carried out throughout the life of the believer—and that is not inevitable. This is what the Scripture warns us about constantly. Does this mean our salvation depends upon us? By no means. (Acts 1:8) Does this mean that we will never sin? No. But we repent and receive forgiveness. I am talking about unrepentant sin that at some point becomes evident to all that this person is not living for God and does not care about God. They no longer trust Him or have faith in Him.

8. Explore the example of marriage. Can you divorce? Is it possible? Is it likely? Do you have security? No matter what you do? No matter whom you become? No matter how you treat your spouse? How do you have to tend to the relationship?