For the longest time, there has been a debate on whether a person can lose his salvation. I shall point you to what God’s word says about this question because it is important not to be subjective and to rightly divide the word of truth.
It is true that when we become born again in the spirit, we become new creatures in Christ. The old has passed away and the new has come. God has put an incorruptible seed in us, and when we water it and nurture it, it will germinate, develop deep roots, and produce spiritual fruit that will be pleasing to God. This would be the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22, and 23. And this fruit is designated as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are all Christ-like characteristics, and Christ mirrors God the Father. Remember, Christ, said, “When you see me, you see the Father.”
There are many saints (including pastors) that feel that people, once saved, can never fall away because they are now God’s righteousness in Christ. And they may hang their hat on the following verses:
In Romans 11:29 it is written For God’s gift and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them once they are given, and he does not change His mind about those to whom He gives or to whom He sends His call.]
In 1 Peter 1:23 it says You have been regenerated (born again) not from a mortal origin (seed or sperm) but from one that is immortal by the ever-living and lasting word of God.
In 1 John 5:11 it says We know (absolutely) that anyone born of God does not (deliberately and knowingly) practice committing sin, but the one who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil] and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch (him).
In John 10:29 Jesus says My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.
And in Romans 8:39 it is written Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All these verses are good and true. However, we have to look at what the whole Bible says. I have mentioned from time to time the Bible is like a piece of fabric. The verses in the Bible are intertwined. No verse stands alone. It is also, like an onion because there are so many levels of understanding. This why it is important to pray that God gives us the proper understanding and comprehension by the revelation of His word. As the Bible puts it, we should strive to rightly divide the word of truth.
With that said, there is an exception to one being forever saved. If you look at it, the previous statements alluded to the fact that no one can snatch us from God’s hand. But, if you consider the fact that God gave us free will, we now have the ability to self-destruct. The way one can lose his or her salvation is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. And once that person does that no prayers will be effective in bringing him or her back. Jesus said there is a sin that if committed, you shouldn’t even try to pray for that person. Here are some supportive scriptures.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit. (v5) And have felt how good the word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, (v6) If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance [it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh (as far as they are concerned) and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
CONCLUSION
You can not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (reject him) and expect to retain your salvation. If you have seen all the goodness of God and reject the Holy Spirit, no prayers can bring you back to repentance. You will be lost. Do not let your pride and free will sabotage your life and lead you to self-destruct.
God will not let anyone snatch those who have been saved by His grace. But you can allow it to happen if you commit the unpardonable sin.
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