Vol.11 No.3

Can a Saved Man Choose to be Lost?
Does the Bible teach that once you’ve accepted Christ you can never be lost?
That you can never change your mind about being saved?
By Joe Crews

Although all of us are born with a fallen nature, God gives us a choice—yield to that sinful nature and die eternally, or receive a new nature through faith in Christ and live eternally.

Millions believe God opens the door for a once-in-a-lifetime decision, then closes that door forever. These Christians advocate “eternal security.” Other Christians believe God leaves the door open for us to change our minds at any time—that salvation is not a single, irrevocable choice, but involves a continuous, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Can we change our minds about being saved? The Bible clearly answers this question.

The Gospels renounce the doctrine of eternal security. In Luke, Christ describes a faithful servant. “… Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make the ruler over his household? … Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.… he will make him ruler over all that he hath” (Luke 12:42–44).

Then Christ explains how a faithful servant could turn unfaithful. “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” (verses 45, 46).

“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.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Danger of Being a Castaway

Paul recognized the fearful possibility of being cast out of God’s presence unless he curbed his sinful, fleshly propensities: “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”(1 Corinthians 9:27).

Paul also spoke of the potential for born-again believers to suffer damnation, “…because they have cast off their first faith.” So believers can “cast off their first faith” and go into final damnation.

The writer of Hebrews admonishes against falling away from the faith:

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. …For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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?” (Hebrews 10:23, 26–29).

These people had been sanctified by the truth but fell away into willful apostasy.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.… Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (verses 35–39). Clearly, eternal salvation is conditional on remaining steadfast to the very end. Unless there was a possibility of drawing back to perdition, why such a warning?

Another striking statement reads: “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, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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” (Hebrews 6:4–6, emphasis added). This describes one who was born again, but later rebelled against God, rejected Christ, and spurned the Holy Spirit. Such a person cannot be saved as long as he crucifies Christ by disobedience.

Millions believe God opens the door for a once-in-a-lifetime decision, then closes it behind you forever.

The Apostle Peter warns, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14). “Seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness” (verse 17). Peter agrees with Paul that Christians need to be on guard constantly, lest they are lead astray. He indicates the sad fate of those who turn back to sin after conversion.

Another strong text states, “If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 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. 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” (2 Peter 2:20–22).

These believers had escaped the world’s pollution, been converted, and surrendered their lives to Christ. But, like the Israelites, they remembered the “flesh pots, leeks and onions.” Leaving Christ, they returned to the world, as a hog to its mire. No Christian should imitate hogs, but this is possible.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1, emphasis added). When will some depart from the faith? In latter times—right now! These are dangerous times—just read the newspaper.

The Spirit speaks plainly that some will depart. So it is possible. They might be pastors, church officers, leading lay persons, nevertheless, they leave the faith. They are not steadfast and faithful. In the last days come perilous times, persecutions, and serious difficulties, and some do not stand. They are tempted by the world and seduced by spirits of devils. Sadly, they give up their allegiance to the Man of the cross, siding with His enemies.

Unconditional Security Only In Christ

Unconditional security is found only in Christ, on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis. He cannot fail. He is faithful. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee…” (Psalm 55:22). He will stand by you as long as you stand by Him. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11, 12).

Many non-Christians believe they have security and God will admit them to heaven. They say, “We’re as good as people in the church,” or “We feel we will be saved without going to church.” But none are saved based on feelings. They may be first class citizens—sincere, honest, moral—but that won’t save them. They may liberally support the church and the needy, but none are saved by good works. Christ is the Saviour, offering salvation as a free gift. When you receive Christ, you have salvation. “He that hath the Son, hath life” (1 John 5:12). But if you don’t have and keep the Son, you don’t have eternal security.

Conclusion

Why does the Bible have numerous warnings against apostasy and eternal loss if these were impossible to experience? We have to conclude that salvation is not a single, irrevocable commitment—past or present. Being saved means living Christ’s life by complete faith in Him and the power of His Holy Spirit. It is only a reality in a continual, dynamic relationship with Jesus, the source of eternal life.

* Pastor Joe Crews (1924–1994), speaker, author, and evangelist, founded Amazing Facts Ministry. Adapted from “Can a Saved Man Choose to be Lost?” Library of Sermons, No. 2.  Reprinted with permission, Amazing Facts, Inc., Roseville, CA.