Salvation is by grace alone, a a gift from God. A gift, once given, is not usually taken away. Is it then possible to lose your salvation as a Christian?
What is salvation?
When a person is convertedTo make a decision to turn away from sin and darkness, from the power of the devil to the living God. We repent from our former sins, cast off our old life – a life which enjoyed living in the passing pleasures of sin – and lay hold of a new mind – a mindset that is determined to resist... More and becomes a Christian they get a new mind. The old mind was to serve themselves and their lusts—the new mind is to serve God and do what pleases Him. This is where their salvation starts.
Similarly, Paul writes in Romans 6:6: “… knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him.” It is very important to know this. Salvation means that we don’t only receive forgiveness for our sins through Jesus’ death for us on the crossJesus was physically crucified on the cross at Calvary. Though blameless, He took upon Himself the punishment for sin, which was death, so He could pay our debts and forgive us our sin if we are willing to believe in Him and follow Him the Apostle Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20) This is a metaphorical... More, but our old man was also crucified with Him. This is what makes it possible for us to live a new life (Romans 6:4).
This is what Paul speaks about in Ephesians 4:22-24: “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old manYour “old man” is your mindset before conversion. It is a state of allowing your lusts and desires to rule in your life; you have not made a conscious decision to resist committing sin. The new man is your mindset after conversion. It is a decision to overcome sin and live in righteousness and holiness. It is the mind to... More which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lustsThe desires that we experience that go against God’s will. In other words, a desire for anything sinful. See James 1:14. Also called “sin in the flesh.” Although the expression “youthful lusts” is often thought of in connection with sinful sexual desires, lusts include anything that go against what is good and right in God’s eyes. (2 Timothy 2:22.; Galatians... More, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new manYour “old man” is your mindset before conversion. It is a state of allowing your lusts and desires to rule in your life; you have not made a conscious decision to resist committing sin. The new man is your mindset after conversion. It is a decision to overcome sin and live in righteousness and holiness. It is the mind to... More which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” The old man is the old mind (that serves self, the passions and desiresThe desires that we experience that go against God’s will. In other words, a desire for anything sinful. See James 1:14. Also called “sin in the flesh.” Although the expression “youthful lusts” is often thought of in connection with sinful sexual desires, lusts include anything that go against what is good and right in God’s eyes. (2 Timothy 2:22.; Galatians... More in the fleshSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More) and the new man is the new mind (that now only wants to serve and please God).
The cross—the power unto salvation
Paul writes in Philippians 3:17-19: “BrethrenThe “brothers” and “sisters” are those who are a part of the church of Christ. (Matthew 23:8; Matthew 12:50; Hebrews 2:10-18)... More, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemiesMost often when a Christian refers to his or her “enemies” they are speaking about the sin in their flesh and the temptations and lusts that arise from there. These are enemies because they tempt us to act contrary to the will of God. These can also be spiritual powers such as the spirit of the times which oppose the... More of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthlyRefers to everything of this earth, as opposed to heavenly things. Example: Earthly treasures/heavenly treasures. The earthly things pass away (are temporal), but the heavenly things are eternal. (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:2; 1 John 2:17)... More things.” They were not enemies of the cross as long as it concerned receiving the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ sacrifice, but they were enemies of the cross concerning their old man being crucified with ChristJesus was physically crucified on the cross at Calvary. Though blameless, He took upon Himself the punishment for sin, which was death, so He could pay our debts and forgive us our sin if we are willing to believe in Him and follow Him the Apostle Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20) This is a metaphorical... More. They may have once been converted and received a new mind but, sadly, they had turned back to the old mind and begun to love this world again.
We also read in 2 Timothy 3:5 about some who had a form of godliness but denied the power of it. The power lies in the cross, because it is the cross that is the power of God unto salvation. (Romans 1:16) It is the cross that keeps our old man crucified so that we can grow and increase in the new life—the virtues of Christ. But a religious form covering the old mind that loves the world and its lust, is an abomination in Gods eyes. It is the hypocrisy that Jesus opposed so strongly.
So can you lose your salvation?
So salvation, both by forgiveness, and by following Jesus on the way of the cross, is by grace. A free gift of forgiveness—and a way, with help and grace to walk on it. This way is open for disciples of Jesus—those who want to follow Him and have the same mind that He had. (Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Peter 4:1) Through the grace to help that is given them, they overcome as He overcame. (Hebrews 4:15-16) That is true salvation. But is it possible to lose this salvation?
It is clear that if a person turns back to the old mind, loving this world and enjoying their lusts, then they lose their salvation. Such a mind does not fit into the kingdom of heaven. However, if they truly repentRepentance is the act of regretting sincerely the sin in your past with the goal to never do it again. It is making a decision to turn away from evil and to serve God. Repentance is one of the requirements for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 2:17; Luke 15:10; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 3:19; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter... More and turn back to God, they can regain their salvation, but then they have also lost precious time where they could have been growing in the virtues. So let us continue in this new mind and be firmly established in it.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.” Colossians 2:6-7.
You may be interested in reading more on our topic page about salvation and sanctification, or in the selected articles below:
What is the difference between justification, salvation and sanctification?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
