Is He Able?

The debate rages on. Can you lose your salvation or can't you? There are lots of verses about "If you" warnings that are frightening if you're paying attention. These are the ones that convince so many that salvation can be lost. But if you look at the texts about God's capabilities, the picture is quite different.

The top text used to prove that salvation can be lost is in Hebrews.

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Heb 6:4-6)

Some argue that the description isn't real Christians. I find that hard to believe. "Enlightened" alone is a sure indication, given 1 Corinthians 2:14. And non-believers don't get to share in the Holy Spirit. The whole list appears to prove a real believer, not a "hit and run." See? Case proved. Except ... almost none of those who favor this text ... agree with it. The text says if that happens, it is impossible to restore them again to repentance. That is, once lost, always lost. If you have salvation and lose it, you lose it forever. No second chances. No repentance possible. Are we actually going with that one? Of course, that's only one, but it's a prime example of me and my responsibilities ... and the seriousness of obedience. On the other hand, there is God. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28). No one. (And, let me ask you, how is it "eternal life" if it can be lost?) Paul said, "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Php 1:6). Was Paul misguided? Jude said He is "able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy" (Jude 1:24). Is He? Or is He dependent on us? In Ephesians, Paul says that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3) and goes on to list some of them, including being chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), being predestined for adoption (Eph 1:5) and having the seal and guarantee of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14). Does my failure to be all I should be nullify those blessings already given?

If you look at Scripture, we are commanded and warned and cautioned regarding maintaining salvation. It's true. So ... are we dependent on our own proper obedience? Paul said, "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3:2-3). If we can lose our salvation, the answer is "Yes ... we are perfected by the flesh." Paul assured us salvation was a gift so that none should boast (Eph 2:8-9). If I get to heaven because I properly maintained my salvation, that's quite an achievement. So I'm delighted that it's God who is at work in me to will (to choose) and to work (to have the power for) His good pleasure (Php 2:13). So I will "work out my salvation" (Php 2:12) based on His work in me and trust Him to keep me to the end ... not keeping myself.