One of the biggest game changers in NFL history was the Patriots’ interception in the end zone to stop the Seahawks’ almost-certain victory, with only 20 seconds left in Superbowl 49. For die-hard Patriot fans, grief turned to lasting joy in a moment. I’d like to share with you the second of four “spiritual game changers” I have come up with based on my experience as a pastor—four truths that you can receive to bring the joy of victory into your life. The first game-changing spiritual truth was to realize your immortality; today’s is to accept eternal security.
Eternal security is closely related to immortality, but our enemy loves for us to doubt our salvation. The fear that there is no afterlife or that you can lose your salvation is a one-two punch combination that he tries to use against our peace of mind in Christ, so I am listing those separately.
What we commonly refer to as salvation, God chooses to call salvation “eternal life” throughout the New Testament. Stop worrying about losing your eternal life! “Eternal” means without beginning or end. So when John wrote “And this is what He promised us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:25 NIV) it simply cannot mean that He promised us life that He just might cut short because of something we do wrong. As a matter of fact, the very essence of the gospel, the good news, is that Jesus offers us grace. We receive salvation by grace and not by anything we did to deserve it. Grace means it was earned for us by Jesus. So if it wasn’t earned by good works, then it cannot be lost by bad works. God says, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24 NIV) Yet people still are shackled with worry, expressing sentiments such as “but you don’t know what I’ve done,” or “That can’t include me.” Oh, the arrogance of thinking that you can out sin the grace of God once you have received His Son’s offer of grace…. That you are the exception to “eternal” life! Losing your salvation with bad behavior goes against the very concept of grace.
So if you must worry about something, my brothers and sisters, find something worthwhile to worry about…you know, something that hasn’t already been sealed by the grace of God. Worry about the Dallas Cowboys’ success in the next NFL draft, for example. That makes more sense, doesn’t it? If you ARE in Christ, you HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. Accept it; embrace it and let the peace and joy flow.
MOORE IN THE WORD 
Great article. What would you say about those who have “denied the faith”, in other words become an atheist or rebelled against God openly after claiming to be a Christian?
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This interests me because I personally know family members and friends to whom this would apply. It has bothered me for most of my life that people I love and who once professed to be saved have turned away and no longer believe. Based on Dan’s answer, perhaps they never were saved in the first place. If they were saved, they will return. That is very comforting.
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This is one of those topics where you can take passages from Scripture and build a case that, while you cannot lose your salvation by works, you can willfully walk away from the faith. On the other hand, one can also build a case that once you are saved it is forever. I believe many Christians fear they have “done something” which has caused them to fall from grace or lose their salvation. For these people (no matter which doctrine above is correct) the very fact that they are worried about losing their salvation eliminates them as a person who has willfully walked away from their faith. Bottom line for the worrier, if you are in Christ, you have eternal life.
With regard to your question, I would focus on “after CLAIMING to be a Christian.” Did this person who is now denying the faith ever really give his / her life to Jesus Christ? Those who hold the position that you cannot ever lose salvation would answer that question in the negative. Those who hold the position that you can walk away from your faith would answer in the affirmative.
My personal belief, at this point, open to further revelation, not dogmatically, humbly, (you get the point) is that if you are truly saved you will not walk away from your faith and therefore you cannot lose salvation. But the relevant for everyone, right now is; are you “in Christ?” That answers the salvation question.
And, by the way, the person who professes Christ and then denies…. I believe if they were truly saved, they will return.
What do you think on the matter Velvet Crosby Moore (or anyone else?)
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