Can the saved person be lost? Can the child of God so sin as to lose his Heavenly inheritance? Can the once faithful Christian become a backslider to the extent that his soul will be eternally lost?

Some believe the answer to those questions is: "NO." They call it the doctrine of "IMPOSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY," "ONCE IN GRACE, ALWAYS IN GRACE," or "ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED."

I believe this is a dangerous doctrine. I believe it causes people to be unaware of the danger posed by the temptation to sin and worldliness. It is like telling the kid who likes to play with matches that the house won't burn; or the person who does not know how to swim that he doesn't need a life-jacket. (1 Pet 5:8-9 KJV) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

It is not an issue of whether the true Christian would want to sin. No real Christian would. Yet it is like Jesus told His disciples that night: (Mat 26:41 KJV) "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." We will not be properly on guard against the wiles of the devil if we do not realize their danger. (Eph 6:10-11 KJV) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. {11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Many arguments are made to attempt to prove the impossibility of apostasy. We will consider a few of them.

1. Because salvation is spoken of as "eternal salvation," it cannot be lost.

Just because it is spoken of as "eternal" does not necessarily infer that it is "irrevocable." An analogy: After a person reaches a certain age, some areas offer a "lifetime" drivers' license. Under normal circumstances that license lasts until death. But that does not mean that if a person abuses his privileges and drives irresponsibly that the license cannot be revoked. Who would contend that because it was a "lifetime" license that it cannot be revoked? Then why do people contend that eternal salvation cannot be revoked? I say, Eternal salvation has the potential of lasting through all eternity, but it can still be lost.

Indeed, the Bible does speak of ETERNAL SALVATION. (Heb 5:8-9 KJV) "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; {9} And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

What if a person starts out obeying the Lord, and then at a later date stops obeying? Does he think he will receive salvation anyway? Jesus said, (Mat 10:22 KJV) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

The apostle Peter said, (1 Pet 1:13 KJV) "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

(Heb 3:6 KJV) "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."

(Heb 3:14 KJV) "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end."

Paul said, (Phil 2:12 KJV) "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

One verse used as an efford to prove the impossibility of apostasy is (1 Pet 1:5 KJV) "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." They use it to indicate that we are secure because we are kept by the power of God. But in reality it proves just the opposite! It says salvation is to be revealed in the last time. We do not yet have the full extent of salvation. (Rom 13:11 KJV) "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

Also, it says that the Christian is kept by the power of God through faith. We do our part--remain faithful--God does His part--keeps us. BUT WHAT IF WE STOP DOING OUR PART? We will no longer be kept! Paul says, (1 Tim 5:8 KJV) "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Will an infidel to go Heaven? (Rev 21:8 KJV says:) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." We are kept by the power of God THROUGH FAITH. Faith on our part is the avenue through which the keeping power of God flows. If our faith disconnects with God, then the keeping power is no longer there!

Jesus says, (Rev 2:13 KJV) "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."

And again: (Rev 2:10 KJV) "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

A believer can become an unbeliever! (Heb 3:12 KJV says) "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Again, (Heb 10:23 KJV) "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" adding just three verses later: (Heb 10:26-27 KJV) "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." He is faithful who promised, but the fulfillment of that promise is contingent upon our holding fast! If we fall down on our part of the agreement by failing to hold fast, then the agreement has been broken, and we cannot expect God to save us anyway.

(1 Tim 1:19-20 KJV) "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: {20} Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

2. The same argument is made about salvation being referred to as "Eternal life."

Indeed it is. (John 3:14-16 KJV) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: {15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. {16} 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."

One text that is especially used to try to prove once saved, always saved is (John 10:27-29 KJV:) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. {29} My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

You will notice that the promise is predicated upon our hearing His voice and Following Him. BUT WHAT IF WE STOP HEARING, AND STOP FOLLOWING? (Gal 5:7 KJV says:) "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Gal 3:1 KJV) "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" The fact that they "did run well," does not keep them from now falling into the category of disobedient!

(2 John 1:8-9 KJVsays:) "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. {9} Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." Can we go to Heaven without God? I don't think so!

[Some think the reward and Heaven are not the same. Yet in Matthew 5:12, Jesus speaks of "your reward in Heaven;" and the Hebrew writer uses them synonymously (Heb 10:35-39 KJV:) "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. {36} For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. {37} For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. {38} Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. {39} But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."]

It is true that no man can pluck us out of the the Lord's hand. If we are determined to live for the Lord and go to Heaven when we die, all the demons in hell can't get us. All the evil forces and all the evil men in the world can't corrupt us. Yes, I believe in the eternal security of the believer to that degree! Paul said, (Rom 8:31-32 KJV) "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? {32} He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" In other words, Jesus did not die for us and then abandon us! A few verses later Paul stated, (Rom 8:38-39 KJV:) "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

You will notice there is one thing Paul DID NOT mention here, as being powerless to separate us from the love of God. He did not mention one's SELF! (John 15:9-10 KJV) "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. {10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

Yes, it is true that no man can pluck us out of the Lord's hand, if we are determined to stay there. But Jesus says the Father Himself will pluck us out if we fail to bear good fruit! (John 15:1-6 KJV:) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. {2} Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. {3} Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. {4} Abide in me, and I in you." (How much sense would it make for Jesus to tell us to abiude in Him if it were impossible for us to do otherwise?) "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. {5} I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {6} If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." Friends, that does not sound like going to Heaven to me!

Don't let anyone tell you you can't be lost. Just stop bearing good fruit and see what happens!

When do we get eternal life, anyway? Those who teach the impossibility of apostasy say we get it here and now, as soon as we believe, and since it is eternal we cannot lose it. But (Mark 10:29-30 KJV) "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, {30} But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." Where do we get eternal life? IN THE WORLD TO COME.

But what about when Jesus said we HAVE ETERNAL LIFE? In prospect we do have it now. But it is not until the life to come that we have it in possession. Sound confusing? Think about it this way:

There's going to be a big sporting event in Atlanta, Georgia. Maybe it is a Braves game you are looking forward to attending. You buy a ticket to the best seat in the house. You can say "I have a front-row seat." But you only have it in prospect, now. Something could happen. The game could be cancelled. You could lose the ticket. But it is not until the day of the game, when you get there and take your seat, that you have the front-row seat in possession.

(John 4:14 KJV) "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." Note: Drink now. It leads to eternal life, future.

(Rom 2:6-7 KJV of God:) "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: {7} To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life."

Note: we patiently continue in well doing. We get eternal life as our reward!

(Rom 6:22 KJV) "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." We live the Christian life now. The end result of that is eternal life!

The apostle Paul makes it clear: (1 Tim 6:12 KJV) "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." Note: We are called to get eternal life, but we do not get it in possession until the end of the Christian life!

(1 Tim 6:17-19 KJV) "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {18} That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {19} Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." How much clearer could you make it than that?

Paul said to Titus: (Titus 1:2 KJV) "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Yet he told the Romans, (Rom 8:24 KJV) "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen (or, realized) is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" If we had eternal life now in possession, we would not HOPE FOR IT in the hereafter! (Titus 3:7 KJV) "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

(1 John 2:24-25 KJV) "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. {25} And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." In other words, if we continue in the faith, we receive eternal life at the end of the way.

(Jude 1:21 KJV) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

3. Another argument that it made in attempt to prove that the Christian cannot so sin as to be eternally lost is that The Lord will keep us, or preserve us.

And indeed, the Bible does say the Lord will keep us. (2 Th 3:3 KJV) "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

(2 Tim 4:18 KJV) "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Yet, (Jude 1:21 KJV) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

(1 John 5:18 KJV) "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

You see, God keeps us as long as we keep ourselves--as long as we hold on to God's hand. But when we let go and stop trying to keep ourselves, we are in trouble. (1 Cor 10:13 KJV) "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." [In the preceeding verse, he had just said, (1 Cor 10:12 KJV) "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."]

(1 Tim 5:22 KJV) "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."

(James 1:27 KJV) "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

The apostle Paul did not know that the Christian cannot so sin as to be eternally lost. He said, (1 Cor 9:25--10:12 KJV) "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. (or, exercises self-control.) Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. {26} I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: {27} But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; {2} And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; {3} And did all eat the same spiritual meat; {4} And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (In other words, He assures us that were truly and absolutely in a covenant relationship with God.) {5} But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. {6} Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. {7} Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. {8} Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. {9} Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. {10} Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. {11} Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. {12} Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

Do we think we are more secure than angels? Jude said, (Jude 1:5-6 KJV) "I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. {6} And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." He is using these examples warning us not to fall.

(Rev 3:11 KJV) "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

4. Another argument that is made to support the doctrine of eternal security is the statement of Jesus that "They shall never die," (John 11:26).

If we stay with the Lord, it is true, we will never die. But the apostle Paul told the Christians at Corinth, (Rom 8:12-13 KJV) "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. {13} For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Gal 5:21 KJV) "Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

(Eph 5:3-6 KJV) "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; {4} Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. {5} For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. {6} Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."

(James 1:14-16 KJV) "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. {15} Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. {16} Do not err, my beloved brethren." He is writing to "brethren," to Christians, and warning them of the danger of backsliding!

5. Those who teach "Once in grace, always in grace" point out that in Christ, we are sealed of the Spirit and the Spirit of God dwells within us.

Under normal circumstances, this is true. Yet when King David prayed in Penitence, he said, (Psa 51:11 KJV) "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." He realized there was a possibility of God taking the Spirit away.

(1 Th 5:19 KJV) "Quench not the Spirit."

We may REJECT the Spirit. (Heb 6:4-8 KJV) "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, {5} And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (How much more "saved" could you be than that?) {6} If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. {7} For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: {8} But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned." Burned... That doesn't sound like Heaven, does it?

(Heb 10:26-31 KJV) "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. {28} He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? {30} For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. {31} It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

6. SOME HAVE SAID THAT GOD WOULD NOT KICK HIS CHILD OUT.

Maybe not, but the child can walk out! (Num 14:12 KJV God said to His children of old:) "I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they."

Consider the story of the Prodigal Son of Juke chapter 16. He was the man's son. He was in his father's house. He took his inheritance and left; went to a far country and "wasted his substance with riotous living." Was he lost, in that prodigal state? Sure he was! Fortunately, he "came to himself," arose and went back home. When he returned home (Luke 15:22-24 KJV) "...the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: {23} And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: {24} For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

Jesus did not know that a believer cannot fall. (Luke 8:13 KJV) "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."

Paul didn't kniw it, either. (Rom 14:13 KJV) "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." (1 Cor 10:12 KJV) "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

Speaking of the children of Israel, the Hebrew writer said, (Heb 4:1 KJV) "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." He continued: (Heb 4:11 KJV) "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."

James didn't know it. He said, (James 5:12 KJV) "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."

The apostle Peter didn't know it. (2 Pet 1:10 KJV) "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Surely he acknowledges the possibility of falling. And again: (2 Pet 3:17-18 KJV) "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. {18} But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

Again, (2 Pet 2:20-22 KJV) "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,"(And only the Christian has done that!) "they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. {22} But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

Question: How could a backslider be in worse condition than a person who has never known the Lord without being lost?

Some say that once God forgives an individual, he can never be accounted guilty again. They quote Heb.8:12 and 10:17 where God says, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." But read Matthew 18:23--35. Here we have a servant who owed a debt of great magnitude to his master (tipifying our debt of sin). In verses 26 and 27 he realized his helpless situation and begged for mercy. His Lord forgave him all the debt.

In verses 28 throuogh 30 the same man went out and found one of the fellowservants who owed him a rather small sum. He took the fellowservant by the throat demanding payment, and upon learning of his inability to pay, cast him into prison till payment be made.

Meanwhile, word came back to the master of the situation and he came to the first servant and said, "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him." (Matt. 18:32--34) You see, HIS DEBT WAS RECALLED! Then Jesus adds, in verse 35, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

(Gal 6:7-8 KJV) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. {8} For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Paul says, Don't be deceived. You cannot sow to the flesh and reap anything but corruption.

It is my prayer that you will not let anyone deceive you into thinking that the Christian cannot so sin as to be eternally lost. I believe that is just what Satan would have you believe while he undermines your faith!

--Emerson Blythe