What is sweeter than the assurance of heaven for the Christian? That assurance comforts us in dark days of despair. That assurance compels us when we feel too tired to do more. That assurance brushes away our fears when our going home draws near. But can that assurance be lost? Is it possible for a child of God, either through willful rebellion or inattentive neglect, to forfeit his or her salvation?

There are many sincere people who will answer a resounding “No!” to the above questions. The suggestion that a child of God could lose what God has promised undermines their view of salvation and the trustworthiness of God. But is the problem one of God not being trustworthy or rather of man misunderstanding the covenant that was made in the first place? Is salvation wholly conditioned on the goodness of God or also on the continued faithfulness of man? John MacArthur Jr. in his MacArthur’s Study Bible states, “Scripture sometimes calls us to hold fast to our faith or warns us against falling away. Such admonitions do not negate the many promises that true believers will persevere. Rather, the warnings and pleas are among the means God uses to secure our perseverance in the faith”. So then, the Bible warns us to not do something we can’t do anyway and pleads with us to do that which we cannot help but do? That doesn’t make logical sense nor is it a responsible handling of Scripture.

The truth is the Bible gives loud and clear warnings to the Christian to not forfeit his or her salvation. When Jesus is warning his apostles of their coming persecution he tells them “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). He does not mean physical salvation because all but John will suffer a martyr’s death. He means the salvation of their souls. And that salvation is conditioned upon their endurance. If they don’t endure they won’t be saved. In John 15:1-6 Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and branches. He is very clear in explaining that he is the vine and his followers are the branches (v.5). There is connection, there is relationship, there is life—as long as the branch abides in the vine, which is evidenced by bearing fruit. Then in verse 6 he warns “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned”. In Romans 11:13-23 Paul is addressing Gentile Christians who were apparently feeling a little haughty that they were now God’s people. The apostle writes, “Then you will say, ‘Branches [the Jews] were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off,” (Romans 11:19-22). Friends, you need help to misunderstand that statement. Could it be clearer that God’s continued kindness is conditioned upon their continuance in his kindness? Further, Paul understood that he had to give attention to his own relationship with God lest he be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27). He warned the Galatian churches that “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4). He told Timothy that the time was coming when some would “fall way from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1-3) because they paid attention to false doctrine. Can one fall away from where he’s never been or be cut off from that which he’s never been attached?

My brethren understand that your salvation is secure in Christ and no one can take it from you, not even the devil. But you, through willful rebellion or neglect, can forfeit that salvation. The Bible just says so.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3)

God bless you.

Brad Fry