One of the things that can throw new believers into a panic is the thought that they might somehow lose their salvation. Even older members in the faith may have a shaky view of the security that they have in Jesus and may be worried about their hold on eternal life! So what can we say about this in a short notelet like this to assure viewers? Actually much!

Let's keep it simple by expounding on one other area of scripture that deals with this.

Let's turn to Hebrews, Chapter 6, verses 4-6 and consider these scriptures together.

Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Notice that this passage talks about falling away. So, according to this passage one cannot 'lose' ones salvation; one has to fall away or 'give up/renounce' repentence or God's offer of justification in Christ!

There is no mention of sinning or salvation in the passage. It says they cannot be restored to repentence; not to holiness or salvation! The goodness of God has led them to repentence and they have then said, 'NO'!

So, what can we learn from this passage which apparently shows us the minimum requirements for one to be able to finally forsake taking up one's place in Christ?

Before you can renounce your justification in Christ Jesus :-

1. You must have been enlightened.
This means - To come to a full and mature knowledge of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit and what they have done for you.

2. You must have tasted the heavenly gift.
This means - To have had the Holy Spirit convict you sin and the need for repentence.

3. You must have shared in the Holy Spirit.
This means - To have had Holy Spirit work with you to show how His guidance can help you live a holy life.

4. You must have tasted the goodness of the word of God.
This means - To have knowingly received blessings as detailed by God in His word (Ie, tasted the blessings, not just heard about them!).

5. You must have tasted the powers of the ages to come.
This means - To have walked in the power of God, working in signs and wonders or observed and sampled the power that God gives people authority to use, much as the disciples did, even before their conversion.

If people can have all that closeness to God and decide not to take up God's offer of justification in Christ Jesus, through accepting Jesus as Lord, then I can see why God would think that they cannot be brought back again to repentance. On the other hand we should all see that God has set the bar for a person going to hell very high indeed!

So I don't believe a Christian should worry about committing the error of renouncing justification! If you've been justified and 'born again', how can you be un-justified and un-born-again? How?

So instead of worrying let's love the God who loves us and has put us in His Kingdom; know the God who knows us and has promised to be with us forever; get involved in what God has called us to do; and look forward to abundant life now and eternal life with God!

Best wishes for Grace and the Peace of Jesus.
Attlee.

Another thought...

Can you lose your salvation? - 1 2 3 4 Conclusion