Can A Christian Forfeit Salvation?

[Vine Abider]

11 hours ago, Tefutakato said:

Do Christians believe a Christian can forfeit their salvation? I’ve known many people who were true believers in the bible and Jesus but fell away. I’ve heard it depends on who you ask but trying to find the closest thing to truth on this is almost impossible. 

The biggest defence of the belief is free will but the biggest argument against it is the doctrine of eternal security/OSAO. 
 

This question has probably been asked before if so please lock this post or link me to a related post.

Thank you.

When one is born-again with the life of God and becomes His child, they cannot be somehow be un-born so as to not be a His child.  The confusion comes in often because while one is saved eternally, with the life of Christ in them, there is still accountability.  Many passages speak to the fact that He will discipline His children (for their good), and they will receive rewards (or loss) accordingly.

1st Corinthians chapter 3 is one of the easiest ways to see this - verse 3:15 says that the one not building in a profitable way will suffer loss, but they themselves will be saved through the judging fire of accountability for things done while in this life. 

[farouk]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

When one is born-again with the life of God and becomes His child, they cannot be somehow be un-born so as to not be a His child.  The confusion comes in often because while one is saved eternally, with the life of Christ in them, there is still accountability.  Many passages speak to the fact that He will discipline His children (for their good), and they will receive rewards (or loss) accordingly.

1st Corinthians chapter 3 is one of the easiest ways to see this - verse 3:15 says that the one not building in a profitable way will suffer loss, but they themselves will be saved through the judging fire of accountability for things done while in this life. 

I do think also that verses about the eternal security of the believer and about the assessment of service are distinct.

[farouk]

@Debp Thanks for the 'like'; various passages about the true believer's assurance and eternal security are so compelling (Romans 8.38-39; John's First Epistle, etc.).

Whereas assessing service is a separate aspect.

[Solus Christus]

Peter denied Jesus three times and was re-instated. So there is hope for those who fall away. 

[Vine Abider]

7 hours ago, Solus Christus said:

Peter denied Jesus three times and was re-instated. So there is hope for those who fall away. 

Yes, and we, like Peter, all fall away because of the influence of sin in the flesh. But we are always His children, being born from Him.  But God never stops loving us, His children.  And because He loves us, He disciplines - there is accountability, but not loss of salvation (His eternal life in us).

[Solus Christus]

3 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Yes, and we, like Peter, all fall away because of the influence of sin in the flesh. But we are always His children, being born from Him.  But God never stops loving us, His children.  And because He loves us, He disciplines - there is accountability, but not loss of salvation (His eternal life in us).

I like this. Thank you brother. 

[enoob57]

John was inspired to write
1 John 2:19 (KJV)

[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

the fact of the born again is there is nothing to go back to... this is what John is saying~ so if they do return to sin this
2 Peter 2:22 (KJV)

[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.

They simply were not born from above...

[Solus Christus]

3 hours ago, enoob57 said:

John was inspired to write
1 John 2:19 (KJV)

[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

the fact of the born again is there is nothing to go back to... this is what John is saying~ so if they do return to sin this
2 Peter 2:22 (KJV)

[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.

They simply were not born from above...

 

 

Thanks for sharing these verses, I had been trying to find that one in the epistle of John. 

[Michael37]

23 minutes ago, Solus Christus said:

Thanks for sharing these verses, I had been trying to find that one in the epistle of John. 

Here's something more: 

1Pe 1:6-12  Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,  (7)  that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—  (8)  whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—  (9)  receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  (10)  Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,  (11)  searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.  (12)  To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
 

[WilliamL]

On the reverse side of this continuing argument:

Hebrews 6:4 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, 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.