Can you lose your salvation?

Can you lose your salvation?  John 10.27-30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one. vs. 27-30

Once saved, always saved.  When I hear the phrase, I immediately think of doctrine and denomination, which is somewhat unfortunate.  I grew up in a faith that held firmly to that teaching, and in years past, have had many debates about the subject.  As with other topics Christians divide over—like speaking in tongues, predestination, etc.,--each person should search the Scriptures for himself.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we look at your Word, seeking to understand, please open our minds to comprehend your heart and will on this subject of our salvation in you.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Look what our Lord said here in John 10…”no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”  Both Father and Son combine to ‘keep us’; how beautiful is that?   What power is that!  Note with me, however, that it came after Jesus’ statement, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me…”   We are his sheep, Friends, when we follow him.

Consider with me Philippians 1.6, where Paul wrote, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  And “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”  (Jude 24)  And there are so many more scriptures which speak to our being kept in the Father’s hand—click to read four more passages: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203.16;%20John%2010.27-28;%201%20Peter%201.5;%201%20Corinthians%201.7-9;%20John%204.14&version=NIV1984

On the other hand, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7.21)  And in his final hours alone with his disciples, Jesus said, “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15.6) 

Follower of Jesus Christ, what does God’s Word speak to you?  May the Holy Spirit confirm in your spirit the truth of his Word and will in this matter.

Christine

 PastorWoman.com