Can You Lose Your Salvation?

That I even have to address this issue is simply ridiculous considering everything Scripture has to say on the matter. The arguments of those who believe that you can lose your salvation are not only illogical, but they are also riddled with error, misinformation, inferences, presumptions, assumptions, conclusions drawn on assumptions, and the greatest eisegetical interpretations I have ever seen. These people are unteachable, continuously attempting to beat the same dead horse in hopes that maybe this time it will get up and whinny (neigh). It is quite evident that these people do not believe the words of Scripture. Nevertheless, the Word of God says, "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit" (Proverbs 26:5). So, I will briefly answer the foolishness of these people and then be done with them, because the flip side of this tells me to "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him" (Proverbs 26:4). Meaning, the longer I debate with these kinds of people on something the Bible makes clear, when they clearly have no desire to know the truth, but would rather continue being blind and contentious, the more likely I am to become as they are—a fool.

"Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's signet ring may not be revoked." Esther 8:8

Jesus is the King of kings. Upon genuine conversion, a believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit. Not only that, but he/she is triple-sealed: The Father, as explained in John 10:29; the Son, as explained in John 10:28; and the Holy Spirit, as explained in Ephesians 4:30. What God has sealed cannot be unsealed. Here is what Scripture says on the issue:

"Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,  who also sealed (σφραγιζω) us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge (αρραβων)." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

"Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge (αρραβων)." 2 Corinthians 5:5

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed (σφραγιζω) in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge (αρραβων) of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13-14

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed (σφραγιζω) for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30

"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5

σφραγιζω = to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation; by implication, to keep secret, to attest to.

αρραβων = a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest.

Examine AMG's Word Study Dictionary New Testament, Thayer's Greek Lexicon, or Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament and the above definitions will be enforced iron clad.

A key verse those who believe you can lose your salvation need to wrap their minds around is 1 John 2:19: "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." It is not a loss of salvation (which cannot happen); it is apostasy. Remember the four soils? Only one of the soils represented genuine converts. They fall away because they were never saved to begin with!!!

A person who thinks they can lose their salvation clearly believes their salvation is based on the merit of their works (whether they want to admit it or not). The Bible repeatedly and clearly informs us of what we must do to be saved (Acts 16:30; John 3:16; John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8, etc.). However, the Bible never tells us what we can do in order to lose that salvation. Any standard for the loss of salvation has to be based on works.

Take a moment to actually think about this. Aρραβων is a pledge. It is part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest. In other words, Jesus already placed a down payment upon the genuine believer as security for the rest. If it were possible to lose one's salvation, that means Jesus loses His deposit. If that person "came to faith" again, that means Jesus would have to place another down payment on them because the other was made null and void. If you could lose your salvation, you would have to re-crucify Jesus in order to be saved once again. To say you can lose your salvation is to say that the person and work of Jesus on the cross was not enough to purchase our salvation. Do you understand that? If you can lose your salvation, then the person and work of Jesus was not enough to purchase our salvation!

"Once Saved, Always Saved" is a ridiculous statement. No doubt about it. What it should be instead is "If/When Saved, Always Saved." Praying a prayer, signing a card, walking an aisle, being baptized, going to church, reading the Bible, praying, having parents who are Christian, etc., do not save a person or make them a Christian. Jesus' parables inform us that on this Earth His kingdom, the church, will grow up consisting of both genuine converts and false converts. At the end of the age when He returns, He will sort the goats from the sheep, the tares from the wheat, the bad fish from the good fish.

If God has set His seal upon us, then you can bank on the fact you cannot lose your salvation. Period! He has guaranteed it. If you want to continue arguing about this, then I suggest you go toe-to-toe with God on the issue. God has already spoken on the issue and those who believe you can lose your salvation are wrong!

For a further look at the evidence against losing one's salvation, please see Apostasy in Galatians.