Yes, and no. To lose something implies one is desperately looking but can’t find it. So, in that case, no, it’s not as if we desperately want to be saved and know we are saved, but then wake up and can’t find our salvation. No one can sneak in and rob you of your relationship with God, and His promise of eternal life. No one, not even Satan, can steal your Salvation… that is unless you agree with him. It’s just not possible to misplace something that God says He was reserved for us. If He is reserving it and our trust is in Him, you needn’t worry about God’s ability to keep His promises to you.
However, it IS possible to choose to abandon your salvation and simply walk away from God. This can happen ever so slowly; subtly. So yes, in this case, it is possible to lose or forfeit your salvation by rejecting your relationship with God in Christ.
So, while He won’t leave you, you can decide to leave Him and forfeit His many Eternal Promises He has for you. To lose your salvation (or fall away) you would have to agree to deny the Lord, walk away from the faith.
While there are many assurances given by God in His Word, He also has conditions around those promises. Some of the conditions are:
- If we continue to believe
- If we don’t deny Him
- If we endure to the end
- If we pursue holiness
- If we don’t shrink back
- If we aren’t lukewarm
- If we aren’t hypocrites
- And the list goes on.
But all of the above conditions stem from one central condition: a heart that is far from the Lord.
Again, if you are a true believer, no one can snatch us out of the hand of God. But… God does allow you to walk away if you should so chose. This is the love of God: allowing someone to choose to love Him and not to Him. He doesn’t force anyone. Therefore, while we are in a whole-hearted state of believing, of faith, of loving and obeying the Lord, we and are salvation are totally safe and secure. We needn’t worry about ‘misplacing’ our salvation. But we must be careful! Should we decide to “look back” like Lot’s wife at our old life of sin and pleasure, we stand in jeopardy to lose it all.
This is why Jesus over and over warned His followers to “be ready” and “watch and pray”. The apostles also warned that we should be careful that our hearts don’t become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
But whatever you do, you can know that you are saved. You can have full assurance of your salvation. How? John says here’s how we know:
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6)
And Paul also gives indications of a lifestyle that won’t have assurance:
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:5-6)
To ensure you have a good relationship with the Lord, press in closer to the Lord than ever before. Examine yourself to make sure you are in the faith. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Make regular time for reading His word and prayer. Remove known sin our of your life.
Remember: God is for you and will protect you, but Jude tells we also need to “keep ourselves” in the love of God. Salvation is about a relationship with God; a passionate heart of love toward our Lord. If that is your current state, you have nothing to fear and nothing to lose. If, however, your heart is growing cold, be forewarned: you have much to lose. Soften your heart before it’s too late. Cultivate a tender conscience by obeying the Word of God so you can once again hear clearly the still small voice of God. Repent and draw near to the Lord and He will receive you and save you!
