How Lasting is Salvation?
by ‘Layo Oladejo
How long or lasting is the gift of salvation that we receive from God by Christ. Or let me redefine it, can salvation when received be lost? Some theologians believe one can lose his salvation and they have a way of using biblical references to defend their positions. But lets see;
First we must understand that salvation is a gift, salvation is not up to us but God’s. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: in Titus 2:11 he writes; For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…” he asserted again in 2 Timothy 1:9 that God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
So, salvation is by grace, in order words, our works or effort was not involved from start to finish. “Grace” is gotten from the Greek word ‘Charis’ it means ‘unmerited gift or favor’ it also mean ‘God giving us what we don’t deserve. It is just like giving a gift to a friend who just did me wrong.
Having known this, we need to understand that whatever God does is perfect and our God is faithful. James in epistle says, ‘every GOOD GIFT and every PERFECT GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.’ (1:17)
The New Living Translation puts it this way; “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Meaning whatever God gives is perfect. Also, the Bible tells us whatever God does is forever in Ecclesiastes 3:14, Solomon said ‘I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
This means the Job of Christ was perfect, also salvation is God’s doing.
Secondly, let’s look into this to prove that salvation can not be lost – what does it mean to be a Christian?
A Christian is a New Creature
A “Christian” is not a person who has said a prayer or is raised in a Christian family. While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience, they are not what make a Christian. A Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and therefore possesses the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 10:8-10, Rom. 8:12-16, Eph. 1:13-14, Eph. 4:30, 1Cor.3:16, 1Cor.6; 19&20)
John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in Him should not PERISH but have everlasting life. Also a Christian is a New Creation. 2Corinthians. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
A Christian is not simply an “improved” or “updated” version of a person; a Christian is an entirely new creature. He is “in Christ.” Colossians 3:3 (and your life is hidden With Christ in God). It means for a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be destroyed.
A Christian is redeemed.
Peter writes, in 1Peter 18-19, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were REDEEMED from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”.
The word redeemed refers to a purchase being made, a price being paid. We were purchased at the cost of Christ’s death. This means for a Christian to lose salvation, God Himself would have to revoke His purchase of the individual for whom He paid with the precious blood of Christ.
A Christian is Justified
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
To be saved is to be justified and to be justified is to be declared righteous. All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared. Those absolved of guilt would have to be tried again and found guilty. God would have to reverse the sentence handed down from the divine bench.
A Christian has Eternal Life
John wrote in 1John 5:11, And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
God gives anyone who believes in his son (Jesus Christ) eternal life. Eternal life is the promise received at salvation, it is also spending forever in heaven with God (it is both a present and future reality). God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.” For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be redefined. The Christian is promised to live forever.
See Jesus statement in John 10:28 “And I give unto them ETERNAL LIFE; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Also, John 6:39-40 says “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
This are Jesus’ words, the question should be that “What was wrong with Jesus when he was making this statement?” but we know Jesus is God in the flesh, so he meant everything he said. Reading your preconceived notion to this is trying to not believe God’s words.
A Christian is marked by God and sealed by the Spirit.
Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13-14 “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory”
Paul is saying at the moment of faith, the believer is marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit, who was promised to act as a deposit to guarantee the heavenly inheritance. The word sealed is from the Greek word “sphragizo” it means “to stamp, for security or preservation, to attest”. It means that the Holy Spirit given to us was a down payment that we belong to God and to think the Holy Spirit can leave is to falsify Jesus’ word also in John 14:16 – And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
The end result of the Holy Spirit is that God’s glory is known. For a believer to lose salvation, God would have to erase the mark, withdraw the Spirit, cancel the deposit, break His promise, revoke the guarantee, keep the inheritance, forego the praise, and lessen His glory.
A Christian is also guaranteed glorification.
Paul again in Romans 8:30 writes, “Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified”
Justification is ours at the moment we put our faith in God’s work in Christ. According to Romans 8:30 , glorification comes with justification. All those whom God justifies are promised to be glorified. This promise will be fulfilled when Christians receive their perfect resurrection bodies in heaven. If a Christian can lose salvation, then Romans 8:30 is in error, because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies.
In Conclusion, salvation is a gift and God’s gifts are “irrevocable”
Romans 11:29 Says, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
A Christian cannot be un-newly created. The redeemed cannot be unpurchased. Eternal life cannot be temporary. God cannot renege on His Word. Scripture says that God cannot lie ( Titus 1:2 ).
It is God who maintains our salvation and not us maintaining it… Paul was furious about this against the Galatians church when they are turning into legalism. He said, Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3. Maintaining your own salvation is being made perfect in the flesh. God does the maintaining and working, you do the working out. Philippians 2;12&13, says workout your salvation verse 13 says God is the one working in you. The moment you add your effort, you fall from grace. In Galatians 5:4 Paul says, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
To fall from grace is to think you can be justified by the do’s and don’ts.
God is Faithful
Jude writes in his epistles in Jude 24-25 emphasizes on God’s faithfulness. He says, “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
This means Jesus does the upholding, and presents you without fault. Hallelujah!
