Once You Are Saved, Are You Always Saved?

Fifteen reasons I don't believe that once you're saved, you're always saved. 

1. Hebrews 10:26 warns that if you go on sinning deliberately there is no longer a sacrifice for sins. There are prevalent warnings in Scripture about sinning after conversion. Why would we be warned about that if it did not impact our relationship with God?

2. 1 Timothy 4:1 speaks of those who abandon their faith in the latter days. This implies that they once had saving faith, but have since abandoned it. 

3. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:27, is concerned with being disqualified himself. Is he concerned that he would not qualify for Heaven?

4. Jesus, in John 15:6, speaks of the necessity to "abide in Him." What is the essential need to abide in Christ in an on going way?

5. 1 John 2:1 refers to the fact that the goal is "not to sin," but if we do, we have and an advocate in Jesus. Chapter 1, verse 9 gives us the good news that we can be forgiven of our sins if we confess them to Jesus. Sinning while in fellowship with a holy God is always harmful to the relationship. 

6. James 5:19-20 talks about people wandering away from the truth. What does it mean that someone would wander away from the truth? Can we be saved apart from the truth?

7. Colossians 1:21-23 conditions salvation with "if you continue in the faith". Continuing in sin while simultaneously being a Christian negates the relational component of walking with God. Any true relationship requires both parties to choose and continue to choose that relationship. 

8. 2 Peter 2:20-22 talks about people getting re-tangled in the things of this world. Another ominous warning about returning to the former ways and its impact on our salvation.

9. Demas, in 2 Timothy 4:10, is said to have fallen in love with this world. Specific people are mentioned as individuals who "fall away" "departing from the Faith" or "walk away" from the Faith. (Hebrews 3:12)

10. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of those who have once been enlightened and the possibility of restoring them back to a place of repentance. Why would there be a need to be restored back to that place because of sin if you are always saved once you born again?  

11. Galatians 5:4 speaks of those who have fallen from grace. How can you remain in grace if you have fallen from it?

12. Jesus, in Mark 13:13, says the one who "endures to the end" will be saved. Salvation is something that does not end in our justification, but it is fulfilled in our glorification. Thus, we need to resolve to go all the way with Jesus. 

13. 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns about falling. What might the ramifications be for us if we fall?

14. Revelation 2 warns the churches in that they could lose their lamp stands. The warning is that the glory can in fact depart from a place. What about at individual person?

15. 2 Peter 1:10 promises that we don't have to fall. While I do not believe that once you are saved you are always saved regardless of actions or choices, I do believe God can keep us from falling away or forfeiting so great a salvation! He gives assurance.

I do believe that once you're saved you *can* always be saved. I believe there is victory and assurance available for every believer in resurrection power.

Some will respond by saying that if you go back to sin, that you were never really saved to begin with. While I agree that some are prematurely or incorrectly called Christian even though they have not been born again, I do believe that there are some genuine Christians who ultimately forfeit their salvation. Most of the Scripture references above were written to believers as a warning so that they do not wander away from the truth. 

What might you add?

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