The following is a letter I typed out to a request for input on the subject of salvation.. and whether or not we can lose it. Please.. don't let satan deceive you. Like any other gift, salvation can be taken away if we refuse to let God rule in our hearts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Mr. Ska man.. I got that chain letter (which it is.. even if you don't think it is).. and fired up a web browser to yer page. I happened upon yer discussion of salvation. I, too, have spent a good deal of time seeking the answer to the question, "Can you lose your salvation?" I have read all the verses you have up, and would like to point you to a few which guarantee that, yes in fact, you can. If you read Romans 11.. you will find a metaphor where all of us are compared to branches. Jews are the natural branches, and Gentiles, wild ones. The passage talks about how because the natural branches were cast away, we wild branches are now able to be grafted in. It then states that, of course, these Jews who have been cast away can be once again grafted in, if they choose to believe. Now.. here comes the part which speaks to loss of salvation. We are told in verse 18 we should not boast against the branches. And here is the kicker of why. Lemme quote the next few verses (NKJV) (19) You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." (20) Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty *BUT FEAR*. (emphasis mine) (NOTE THESE NEXT THREE VERSES ESPECIALLY) (21) For if God did not spare the natural branches, **He may not spare you either**. (22) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, **if you continue in His goodness**. *******OTHERWISE you also will be cut off.******* As you see, there is no doubt here (as is stated in verse 7).. that Paul is speaking about Christians. And thus, it is quite possible to lose one's salvation. Now.. let me qualify this.. for most ppl will say that Jesus, Himself, said that no one can take His sheep out of His hand. This is of course, a quote from Jesus, Himself (John 10:28), and needs to be looked at carefully. Yes, not a single power of Heaven can take us from Jesus' hand. Not one. Not one has the strength or the power to be able to do such a thing. Except one.. our own will. You see.. Jesus said here that none shall be able to snatch them out of His hand. That doesn't mean we aren't free to leave of our own accord. And unfortunately, that is something we can all do. Ok.. that's part one. Now for part two. What makes someone lose their salvation? I have dealt with this long and hard because, oftentimes in my walk, I have been afraid of losing mine -- and have often felt that I had. So, I felt it quite necessary to find out beyond a shadow of a doubt what would cause someone to lose their salvation.. and this is what I've come up with. First and foremost, we need to look at the unpardonable sin.. and what that is. The unpardonable/unforgivable sin is listed as blasphemy against the Holy Ghost -- or speaking a word against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:22-32, Mark 3:28-29 , Luke 12:10). This is, as I understand it, not only a word of insult, though that might get you killed as well (as were Annanias and Sapphira for lying to Him), but it is a definitive slandering of His working -- as is shown in example in Matthew 12:22-32. In this passage, the Jews not only slandered Jesus (which Jesus says to be forgivable in verse 32), but slandered the power behind Him (which was, of course, the Holy Spirit). This, as I understand it, is what the unforgivable sin is. I have often wondered one thing about this sin, however.. and that is this: Would a person have to know that it was the Holy Spirit they were slandering in order to receive the eternal condemnation.. or would they receive mercy for their ignorance? Because I have seen often that certain religions groups and denominations have definitely erred dramatically by saying that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer working today. They also go so far as to say that *if* some miraculous sign shows itself, or some Spiritual gift shows itself.. that it was not of God.. but of satan. This is where the question arises: Are you doomed to hell for saying that something which was the Holy Spirit was satan, when you didn't know? If so.. I have a feeling that many of these deeply religious people will end up in hell, because of their refusal to hear the truth. Next, the 2nd (yet not explicitly stated as) unforgivable sin. The mark of the beast. (Revelation 14:9-11 specifically) In these verses, it states (quoting...) "...'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and recieves his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.'" Purty scary eh? Here's another log on the fire.. that mark's precursor is out now. It's that lithium chip which can be inserted into people and animals. It has already been placed into a considerable number of people. It allows a person to go without cash, without credit cards, and without ID to anyplace they go. Instead, their identification is read off of that chip, and processed through a central-computer database, which stores all the information about that person. Not only can it store information though. With enough sensors in place, a person can be tracked easily... anywhere on the globe. A person can be found.. wherever they may be. I know the benefits may seem overwhelming.. but so are the costs.. especially when you consider that, when it truly *is* the mark (if it isn't as yet) then all those who receive it shall receive eternal condemnation. This will be a time of great difficulty for the saints when this happens, because, as is stated in Revelation 13:16-17.. that without the mark, not a single person will be able to buy or sell. Ok.. any others? Yes. Many. Next.. refusing to do as God requires. (Text: Matthew 25:14-30) This one is not as outwardly stated, but it's still true. I will summarize rather than quote. As you know, three servants are all given a gift from God. This gift is salvation. This gift is eternal life. This gift is Jesus. Now.. as we can easily see.. those who use their gift according to their abilities, and do as God requires, will receive great rewards.. as expressed in the rewards of the first two servants. Yet, as shown with the 3rd, if we choose to hide our salvation... for whatever reason.. and if we choose to not use it to bear fruit unto His Kingdom, then we shall bear the blunt of His wrath.. and not the gift of salvation anymore. All the life we had will be taken from us, and given to those who listened to God, and bore fruit. There are many more passages which show that if you make a lifestyle choice that doesn't correspond with God's Will, such as living as a practicing homosexual(1 cor 6:9) or in an adulterous relationship, you shall have your gift of eternal life taken from you. The easiest summary passage for this is Matthew 7:21-23.. where Jesus says that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" shall enter the Kingdom of God, but only those who do His Father's will. One can receive Jesus' love.. and sacrifice.. and then refuse to listen. One can believe on Him.. and even confess Him a God's Son.. and then refuse to live with Him *as* his/her Lord. And these are the definites we need to watch out for. Ok.. one more passage. This one is more explicit than Romans 11. In 2 Peter 2:4-22.. Peter speaks of false prophets. Yet we need to realize just what a false prophet is. He is someone who speaks false doctrine continually because he has chosen to live his life by the flesh and not the Spirit. What we need to focus on here (regarding loss of salvation) are verses 20-22. (20) For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse than the beginning. (21) For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of rightousness, than **HAVING KNOWN IT**, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22) But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." There is no doubt here that these "false prophets" received Christ. They found out about Him.. and they *ESCAPED* the pollutions of the world through Him. Yet, these are those who choose to dwell in their sin so much that they once again become entangled and overcome by it. And if they are (and only God knows the fine line between who He's gonna keep and who He isn't), they will burn. Another counter passage you might get to this argument that we can lose salvation often comes from Romans 8:1 -- where it says, "There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Unfortunately, many people forget to read the next phrase in the very same verse where it makes another qualification.. stating that we must also "...not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." If we desire to keep our precious gift of salvation.. we must live accordingly. This means, as Paul told us.. to crucify our flesh.. to die daily.. to live for Christ.. and not for the flesh. For as Paul says in this very same chapter.. in verse 13 "... if ye live after the flesh, ye shall **DIE**: but if ye through the Spirit do motify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. And that is what we are called to do.. live to mortify the deeds of the body. Live to mortify our own fleshly works. Live to blast our fleshly works from our lives. For it is only as we take up our cross to do this, that we find the freedom that is in Christ, and not a false freedom which many preach, wherein we can do whatever we want, and still receive Heaven. Ok.. one last passage. This one is the one most everyone turns to when they are wondering about losing salvation. I have heard some people.. pastors.. even Bible footnotes tell me that this can never happen.. that it is simply an "argumentum ad exhaustum.." that is.. it argues for a possibility of what can never happen, and therein proves it can never happen. Unfortunately for these people, this is false.. because it *can* happen. The passage I am speaking of is, of course, Hebrews 6. In Hebrews 6, it states, (verse 4-8) "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them to repentance, since they crucify again the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned." It's basically saying the same thing I've been saying all along.. and that is, that if we choose to bear fruit.. if we choose to let God's seeds of His Word settle in the soil of our hearts and grow, then we shall receive the blessing of eternal life which He has prepared for us. However, if we choose to not listen.. if we choose to harden our hearts, if we choose to refuse to follow His teachings and His desires.. then our end is sure and rather warm. I must say one final thing before I close.. and that is this.. we need to focus on the next few verse in Hebrews 6. They state that the writer of Hebrews was quite confident that they would be willing to let God have His continued place in their hearts... and that God is not about to forget what good we do for Him/His Son. Ahh.. almost forgot.. how do you tell if you've lost your salvation???? This one is a toughie.. I have not found a single reference in the Bible that will tell you automatically whether you have lost your salvation or not. Yet, I have found one truth which God, Himself, showed me. I happen to be able to speak in tongues. And though I can't yet interpret what I speak, I do know it is of God.. for the more I do it, the more I find myself edified and the closer I find myself to God. Now.. here is what God showed me. If you can speak in tongues, you have an easy way of knowing whether you have lost it all or not. For if you have, you won't be able to anymore. You will have once more become spiritually dead, as Adam was after he took of the fruit of the forbidden tree. Your spirit will die.. and, as is most likely the case, so shall you shortly afterwards. What should you do if you think you've lost your salvation? Pray! Read your Bible! And most of all.. don't believe it. This is one of satan's favorite weapons. He loves to get Christians believing that they have already lost everything.. or believing that they can't get anything from God.. because if they are either so down on themselves that they refuse to ask God for help, or they are so lost that they think they truly have no place in God's Kingdom anymore, then all satan has to do is play pinball with them until they die. It amazes me.. in my own life and others, how much we run away from God when we need Him most. Rather than run into His arms and accept whatever He has to give us (which is always good, though sometimes painful), we run away from Him.. thinking that He'll either hurt us, or harm us in some way.. or even reject us. I guess that a lot of us fear that the most.. that we'll go to someone asking for help and they'll reject us. But lemme tell you a story.. well.. lemme point you to one. My webpage is http://www.wwu.edu/~defiant On that page I have a number of essays I've written, including my own life's story. I will warn you.. it's long. Yet I felt I had to address all the issues in it.. for it was important to show how much God had done. If you are interested in reading it in its entirety.. set aside a few hours (depending on how fast you read) and go to my page.. and look for the 'me' link. (http://www.wwu.edu/~defiant/testimony.html) I will be adding another chapter shortly (though I've been saying that for a couple months.. I need to badly). Anyway.. that's about all I think I need to say... other than this: The idea that we can get away with anything after we "accept Jesus into our lives" or "accept Jesus as our Savior" is something cooked up by the workers who only want us for lunch.. and it really smells. The only problem is, you gotta get close enough to God to see just how much it smells.. and just what it smells like. I have met many people who think that it's easy to get into Heaven. And maybe it is. A pastor of mine once said, "Salvation is Free. It's the maintenance that's expensive." We must remember, that the truth is, like any gift, we can throw our salvation away. And, like any good father should do with any gift.. if we mistreat our salvation enough, we shall have it taken from us. That's it. Take it or leave it. I can't say I'll agree with you if you leave it. I can say.. you may be in deep trouble someday if that is the road you choose. Remember, your life is in your hands. Faith in Jesus is dead without the works to accompany it (James 2:14-26). This does not mean that we are guaranteed to die if we come to Jesus and then die a few hours later without works to show for it. It means that our salvation is based on the condition of our heart. So I can't say that someone who "accepts Jesus" on their deathbed is guaranteed eternal life either. I can say this -- God judges the hearts.. and those who love Him.. who truly love Him.. shall inherit life. (Final note: Receipt of salvation requires two things.. belief that Jesus died, and rose again by God's hand.. and confession of His being The Son of God..your Divine Authority beyond all but God. Remember that confessing Jesus doesn't mean lip service only. It means that we truly are acknowledging Him as The Son of God and.. are willing to let Him rule our lives. How well we do that shall determine our rewards in the next life. How poorly we do it.. may determine our pain for eternity. It's always a choice. Don't give up your choice by thinking your fate is guaranteed. Live daily to love God and your fellow man, and you'll never lose.. just so long as one thing is in place: Be willing to find out you're wrong when you are.. or you'll be lost.) --------------------- Yet another piece of truth to the matter -- in Hebrews.. denoted Chapter 10.. verse 26-29.. "26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" The words 'sin wilfully' need to be properly translated from the Greek as "go on sinning wilfully". Then we can take for truth that a person who disregards the salvation he has received by either continuing in sin, or returning to sin again.. (noting that this passage is talking about a person *who has been sanctified*). The writer of the letter to the Hebrews would not ever need to mention this idea if people who come to faith always maintain it.. as some would procure the meaning of Hebrews 6 to be saying.. that it is merely an "argumentum ad absurdium" which never happens to any person. But the writer is clear here in chapter 10.. stating that it *is* quite possible for any person who gets sanctified by the Blood of Christ to disdain it and lose the benefits which come as a result of obedient faith.. and end up burning for all eternity.