Have you ever wondered if a true follower of Christ can lose their salvation? Can it be forfeited through evil actions or by simply turning away from the faith? The Puritans wisely believed that Scripture interprets Scripture, and I believe that principle applies here. Let’s examine what the Word of God has to say on this important topic.
Hebrews 6:4-8 states: “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.”
Some interpret this passage as evidence that salvation can be lost. However, it’s crucial to consider other relevant scriptures. Let’s look at Romans 8:30-39, Romans 11:29, and John 10:28.
“And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:30-39).
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
These verses highlight key points:
If salvation could be lost, it would imply that someone who is predestined, justified, and glorified could undo God’s work in their life (Romans 8:30), which seems to assert power over the divine. Some argue that Romans 8:38-39 doesn’t exclude someone from walking away from the faith. However, the list provided is quite comprehensive. To do so would require asserting divine power.
The statement in John 10:28, “[N]o one will snatch them out of my hand,” suggests that we cannot wiggle out of His grasp either. If we could, what kind of God would He be?
Ephesians 1:13 states that at the moment of salvation, we are sealed with the Spirit. Does this mean we have the power to break that seal?
To analyze whether a person can lose salvation or walk away from it, it’s important to consider the salvation process itself. Jesus taught in parables to illustrate points, and Luke 8:4-15—The Parable of the Sower—provides insight.
In the parable, seed was scattered:
In the allegory, Jesus is the sower, and the seed is the Word of God. The Word appeared to flourish on the rock, among the thorns, and in the good soil. However, it only survived in the good soil. Did those represented by the rock or thorns experience salvation and then lose it, or were they never truly saved?
Returning to Hebrews 6, the author wrote in verse 8, “But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” It’s likely not coincidental that Jesus referred to seed falling among thorns as growing but eventually being choked out (Luke 8:7). This represents an unsaved person. Is this the same as the one mentioned in Hebrews 6?
“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy” (Luke 8:13). This sounds like saving faith, but there’s no root. Theologians use three Latin words to describe the elements of saving faith:
Consider the example in Acts 8. Philip, an early church deacon, preached Jesus in Samaria, and the response was great. “But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed” (Acts 8:9-13).
Warning: Not all supernatural activity is of God. Satan is also a practitioner. Here is a man who came as a sinner, heard the Word (notitia), and believed (assensus). He received the Word, but did he trust Christ for his salvation (fiducia)? Later events reveal Simon’s heart was on rocky soil – shallow and without root.
“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:18-22).
Simon’s heart was selfish, his response emotional – out for what he could get. He was not saved. He received the Word, but not Christ. His will had not followed where his emotions led. It was all feeling for him. Peter advised, “Repent.”
The fruit of our works does not save us, but saving faith results in good works. Even the thief on the cross had the fruit of authentic repentance. He went to the cross mocking Jesus. But somehow, God got a hold of his hard heart and changed it so that by the end of the afternoon, he not only rebuked the other thief (Luke 23:40) who continued to mock Jesus, but he also confessed his sin, asked for a place in heaven, and bore witness concerning Jesus, “but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41). He experienced notitia, assensus, and fiducia, all in a very short period of time. One of the most amazing transformations in history with not enough time to show a lot of fruit, but he had enough.
Saving faith has roots and it has fruit. Saving faith embraces Jesus as Savior AND Lord. What God has planted cannot be uprooted (Romans 8:30-39, Romans 11:20, and John 10:28).
The terms “enlightened” and “tasted” were used in Hebrews 6:4-5. Such people are produced from seeds dropped on “rocky soil” or “among the thorns.” The Reformation Study Bible Commentary equates “enlightened” with “knowledge.” Many have possessed knowledge, including Satan, but it’s insufficient for salvation. The same commentary said, “tasted the heavenly gift,” refers to participating in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Many non-believers participate in rituals, including the Lord’s Supper, but do not experience salvation. Judas falls into this category.
Based upon the Scripture reviewed, I do not believe a person that has faith planted in fertile soil, spiritually voyaged through notitia, assensus, and fiducia—accepting Jesus as Savior AND Lord—and been sealed with the Holy Spirit will lose his or her salvation!