The question of whether it is possible for a Christian to lose
their salvation has divided Christians through the
centuries. I do not propose to argue the case for
eternal security here. Instead, I would like to
address some of the valid concerns that are held by people wo do
not believe in eternal security.
I believe that our salvation is secure, but...
it is possible to be on the edge of the Kingdom and not be saved
it is possible to think you are saved and be wrong
it is possible as a Christian to live in the flesh and thus lose the benefits of salvation
As a point of interest, I try never to use the phrase 'once
saved, always saved' because it is open to serious abuse and
misunderstanding. The term 'eternal security' is
much better: it places the emphasis where it belongs - not on an
event, but on a relationship.
On the Edge
It is possible to be on the edge of the Kingdom and not be saved. ('For it is impossible')
Mistaken Confidence
It is possible to think you are saved and be wrong. ('Depart from me... I never knew you')
Lost Benefits
It is possible as a Christian to live in the flesh and thus
lose the benefits of salvation. ('Restore
unto me the joy of my salvation')
Perhaps it would be better to use different terms.
Would 'once redeemed, always redeemed' be more acceptable?
It is important here to make a distinction we usually miss: salvation is seen in many places in the Bible as the outworking of redemption. Sometimes they are used interchangeably, but sometimes the distinction is important.
This is normal: sometimes baptism is equated with salvation, but they are clearly not the same thing.