Can We Lose Salvation?
Introduction
This lesson continues from last Sunday’s study on the possibility of
losing salvation. Scripture repeatedly warns that a Christian—a
genuine believer—can fall away. These warnings are not theoretical;
they are real and urgent. But today’s focus is not only on the
danger of falling but also on the possibility of restoration. When
one leaves Christ, they are separated from God because of sin. Yet
when that lost soul turns back in repentance, heaven rejoices. The
parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 reveals God’s heart toward the
wandering and sets the foundation for this lesson.
The Reality
of Falling Away
Jesus described the seriousness of unfaithfulness in Luke 12:42–48.
The servant who failed in his duty was condemned, even though he
once belonged to the household. Peter also gave a strong warning in
2 Peter 2:20–22. He spoke of those who had escaped the world through
Christ, only to return to sin, ending in a worse condition than
before. These texts confirm that a Christian who abandons Christ
faces spiritual death. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us that sin separates us
from God, and if left unresolved, it destroys the soul.
The Process
of Falling Away
A Christian usually does not turn away from God overnight. It is
often a slow process. Second Peter 3:17 warns believers to beware
lest they fall from their own steadfastness. Paul wrote in
Philippians 3:17–19 of those who set their minds on earthly things,
becoming enemies of the cross. It may begin with neglecting prayer,
Bible study, or the fellowship of Christians. Slowly the heart grows
distant until sin hardens it. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:136,
“Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your
law.” Falling away breaks the heart of faithful Christians and
causes grief in the church.
Responsibility and Restoration
Though a Christian can fall, they can also return. Restoration
requires a personal decision. Hebrews 6:4–6 teaches that no outside
force can compel repentance; the sinner must choose it. In Luke
15:11–20, the prodigal son “came to himself.” No one forced him. He
had to recognize his lost condition and choose to return. This shows
that every person is accountable before God for their own decisions.
Yet in other parables, such as the lost sheep and the lost coin,
someone went to search. Every case is different, but in all, the
turning back depends on the sinner’s choice.
The Steps
Back to God
The way of restoration is revealed in scripture. In 1 John 1:8–10,
Christians are told to confess their sins, for God is faithful to
forgive. In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer, though once saved, sinned
again. Peter told him to repent and pray for forgiveness, warning
that his heart was poisoned by iniquity. Restoration for the
Christian requires repentance, confession, and prayer. Unlike an
alien sinner who must believe, repent, and be baptized, the erring
Christian must turn back through repentance and prayer. This is the
path back to salvation.
The Joy of
Restoration
James 5:19–20 assures us that when one turns a sinner from the error
of his way, a soul is saved from death and a multitude of sins is
covered. Jesus said in Luke 15:7 that there is joy in heaven over
one sinner who repents. To restore the lost is one of the greatest
joys in the kingdom of God.
Can We Lose Salvation? Sermon
Outline:
Introduction
The Reality
of Falling Away
-
Luke
12:42–48 – The unfaithful servant condemned
-
2 Peter
2:20–22 – Christians returning to sin are worse off
-
Isaiah 59:2
– Sin separates from God
The Process
of Falling Away
-
2 Peter 3:17
– Warning to remain steadfast
-
Philippians
3:17–19 – Earthly mindedness leads to destruction
-
Gradual
neglect of prayer, study, and fellowship
-
Psalm
119:136 – Tears shed for disobedience
Responsibility and Restoration
-
Hebrews
6:4–6 – No one can be forced to repent
-
Luke
15:11–20 – The prodigal son came to himself
-
Luke 15:8–10
– At times the lost must be sought, as with the lost coin
-
Restoration
always requires personal choice
The Steps
Back to God
-
1 John
1:8–10 – Confession of sin
-
Acts 8:12–24
– Simon the sorcerer repented and prayed
-
Distinction:
alien sinner obeys the gospel, fallen Christian repents and
prays
The Joy of
Restoration
Call to
Action
If you have wandered from God, today is the time to come back.
Confess your sin, repent from the heart, and pray for forgiveness.
God is faithful and ready to receive you. If you know someone who
has strayed, reach out with love and encouragement. There is no
greater joy than seeing the lost restored to Christ.
Key
Takeaways
-
Christians
can lose salvation if they return to sin (2 Peter 2:20–22).
-
Falling away
is usually a gradual process (Philippians 3:17–19).
-
Restoration
requires confession, repentance, and prayer (1 John 1:9; Acts
8:22).
-
Each person
is accountable before God for their own choices (Hebrews 6:4–6).
-
Heaven
rejoices when the lost are restored (Luke 15:7; James 5:19–20).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Luke 15:1–7
– The lost sheep, joy over restoration
-
Luke
12:42–48 – Warning to the unfaithful steward
-
2 Peter
2:20–22 – Danger of returning to sin
-
Isaiah 59:2
– Sin separates from God
-
2 Peter 3:17
– Beware of falling from steadfastness
-
Philippians
3:17–19 – Enemies of the cross
-
Psalm
119:136 – Grief for disobedience
-
Hebrews
6:4–6 – Seriousness of falling away
-
Luke
15:11–20 – The prodigal son’s decision
-
Luke 15:8–10
– The lost coin and searching for the lost
-
1 John
1:8–10 – Confession of sin required
-
Acts 8:12–24
– Simon the sorcerer’s repentance
-
James
5:19–20 – Turning back a sinner saves a soul
-
Luke 15:7 –
Heaven rejoices over repentance
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
