Pastor Matthew Peters,
High Prairie Bethel Baptist Church.
In a short answer, no!
But there is more to it than that!
The question is more easily answered when one knows the questioner. Some people may ask this because they want to know that heaven is their home, though they would much rather prefer to live like hell while on this Earth.
To such a person, the question I would ask is, “Do you love Jesus Christ?”
Another may ask because he feels he falls short or has committed some sin that he wonders if it is possible for God to forgive him. As if salvation is a quick on/off switch, depending on a perfect performance with no room for sin and error, discounting God’s great mercy and grace!
Jesus says in John 15, “Abide in Me”. He goes on to speak of the results of such abiding and the consequences of not doing so. Those who abide in Him “bear much fruit and so prove to be (His) disciples” (v. 8).
On the other hand, He says “every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away . . . 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.” (v. 2, 6)
(Compare the necessity of bearing fruit to John the Baptist’s words in Matthew 3:8-10.)
It must be noticed when Jesus says the above words, He is speaking to His disciples. To them, He gave the promise and the warning. It becomes clear the only way to have eternal security and certainty of His grace, is to remain in Jesus. This precludes the possibility of resting your hope on one past profession or action, and grounds the necessity of a daily and continual, vital walk with Jesus Christ.
To answer the question then directly, one must ask another question. What is a Christian? In the above verses, the explanation is “someone who abides, remains, continues in Jesus. Who holds fast to Him. Which includes believing His words, who He says He is and believing what His death accomplished for you. Demonstrating that belief by “performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20).
Such a one is saved by Him and God will not break His promise.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Or as Jesus says “all that the Father gives Me will come to Me . . . and this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:37, 39).
From God’s perspective then, the people He has given to Jesus, His will is that Jesus should lose none of them. Therefore, the Christian’s security is bound up in the ability of God to accomplish His will which is all powerful.
There is some tension. God gives us security through faith in Him. Yet he will not allow people to have assurance of salvation when they refuse to abide in the Son. Any such assurance is delusional. It is His power to keep all those who are truly His. It is ours to “confirm our calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10) by adding to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).
All these things are possible because “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3).
By adding these to our faith through His power, we have the promise that “in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:11).
Can a Christian lose salvation?
Only if God is unable to keep His word!
Can someone who is unwilling to hold fast their faith in Jesus and walk with Him be assured that all is well because of some profession they made in the past?
Only if God is unable to keep His word!
What is the solution then? Whatever is going on in your life, turn to Jesus. If you have strayed from Him and are afraid there is no hope, know that in confession there is forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)
If it seems that sin is too powerful, abide in Jesus. He has all the power you need. In so doing, you’re remaining in the source of life and one thing is certain, you have eternal life.
This is the only answer to the individual who is afraid of losing salvation. God is faithful, continue in Jesus and you have nothing to fear