Can Christians lose their salvation? This is a scary topic for many. The thought that we might lose something as precious as our salvation can be terrifying. Are there certain sins that God will not forgive? Can I do something so terrible I can be disqualified from God’s Kingdom?
The truth is, there is a simple answer to this question. But that simple answer needs some fleshing out. Much like trying to respond to a single sentence tweet objecting to Christianity, responding to this question needs some background and explanation.
Short Answer, “Yes”
The short answer to this question is, “yes”, salvation can be lost. Some may have a hard time reconciling this with certain verses we see in scripture. We are repeatedly told that our salvation is assured once we accept Christ. And that is true, with one caveat.
First, let’s look at just a few verses that assure us of salvation:
Job 19:25 (NKJV)
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;[1]
Romans 5:8–9 (NKJV)
8 But lGod demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified mby His blood, we shall be saved nfrom wrath through Him. [2]
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
9 that iif you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. [3]
So, the formula seems to be very clear. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and ask Him for forgiveness from your sins. Very easy. So how can we lose our salvation?
Good News, Bad News
The good news here is that there is only one way to lose salvation. And that is by committing the one unpardonable sin. And that sin is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. We see this warning in Luke:
Luke 12:10 (NKJV)
10 “And kanyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.[4]
So, what does it mean to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? It is an active and continued rejection of God’s offer of salvation. This does not mean that if you, in a temporary state of anger, lash out against God. We have all had moments like this. God is not so petty that He will disqualify someone from salvation for a momentary emotional outburst.
And if you are struggling with your walk with God, feel like you are not as connected as you should be, or are lax in your prayer life for a season, these are not disqualifying events either. I would say that the fact that you are worried about losing your salvation is a good sign that you haven’t in fact lost it. Your attitude shows you still care, and desire salvation and a relationship with God.
The Short Answer Explained
So, can you lose your salvation? Yes, but only by committing the one unpardonable sin, blaspheming the Holy Spirit. And what does that mean? It is a continued and active rejection of God’s mercy. We cannot lose our salvation in any other way.
[1] The New King James Version. (1982). (Job 19:25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
l [John 3:16; 15:13; Rom. 8:39]
m Eph. 2:13; [1 John 1:7]
n Rom. 1:18; 1 Thess. 1:10
[2] The New King James Version. (1982). (Ro 5:8–9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
i Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8; Acts 8:37; Rom. 14:9; [1 Cor. 12:3]; Phil. 2:11
[3] The New King James Version. (1982). (Ro 10:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
k [Matt. 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28; 1 John 5:16]
[4] The New King James Version. (1982). (Lk 12:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
