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BY TONY HOSS
Contrary to many current doctrines being advocated throughout the world, it is possible for one to lose their salvation. Paul said, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Paul is simply stating that it is possible for one to lose eternal life if they do not devote their lives to God. Paul said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul uses a reference to the games of his day. The mark that he pursued would be the painted lines of the track; those that run from the start to the finish line. It is definite then that the apostle states that there is a prescribed path to follow to reach the high calling of God.
In his letter to Timothy Paul wrote concerning Christians who had lost their way spiritually. “…having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:19-20). While traveling the seas of life, Paul states that Hymenaeus and Alexander suffered a shipwreck of their faith; they had lost their faith. All Christians should heed the warning of Paul in 2 Peter 2:14-15. We should not forget that from time to time false prophets would arise from among the people of God. These prophets do not always enter from the outside, but that they would come from within the family of God. The important question is how one can forsake a path they have never travelled. One of the most enlightening passages is found in 2 Peter 2:20-22 where Peter said, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” To the Holy Spirit it is clear that a Child of God can know and follow the way of righteousness and escape the pollutions of the world and then become entangled in the world of sin once again.
Still there are those who insist one cannot fall from grace, that one cannot lose their salvation. One copout statement is; “Well, he never was really saved in the first place.” If so then why did Peter warn, “Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). If a Christian cannot lose their way, then there is no danger from Satan and the Holy Spirit is wrong about the words He inspired Peter to write. Finally Paul said, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12). Contrary to many current doctrines being advocated throughout the world, it is possible for one to lose their salvation. Paul said, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1Corinthians 9:24-27). Paul is simply stating that is possible for one to lose eternal life if they do not devote their lives to God. Paul said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul uses a reference to the games of his day. The mark that he pursued would be the painted lines of the track; those that run from the start to the finish line. It is definite then that the apostle states that there is a prescribed path to follow to reach the high calling of God.
(Tony Hoss is minister at the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)