Can You Lose Your Salvation? What the Bible Says About Eternal Security: Justification - by Virgil Walker

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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This author attempts to explain the fifth petal of the Calvinistic TULIP:

(T) otal Depravity

(U) nconditional Election

(L) imited Atonement

(I) rresistible Grace

(P) erseverance of the Saints

The perseverance of the saints (eternal security) is based upon the assumptions of these five interrelated doctrines. The author believes a Christian cannot lose his salvation, and this is because of the unstated belief that God chooses those who will be saved (the U in TULIP).

The author makes a big noise for his doctrine, but it's really an exercise in futility. First because there is no such thing as being absolutely certain of one's salvation, and second because the doctrine makes no difference in any privilege or obligation of our faith.

And the author never deals with the other side of the issue, a Christian deciding to forfeit his salvation. This is not losing one's salvation, this would be rejecting it.

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 Have you ever wondered, “Can a Christian lose their salvation?” This question has sparked debate for centuries. Many fear they could fall away from faith, while others find comfort in the Bible’s teaching on eternal security in Christianity. What does the Bible actually say?

In this article, we’ll explore justification by faith alone, examine key Scriptures on eternal security, and answer the question: Can you lose your salvation?

The Bible teaches that no one is born right with God because of sin. We all fall short (Romans 3:23). But the good news is that God made a way for us to be forgiven and accepted.

This is where the word justification comes in. Justification means God declares a person “not guilty” (No, that is not justification. Justification is dikaioó, which means "to declare or pronounce someone as righteous..." This is a sacrificial transaction, not a legal one.)

and is fully accepted because of Jesus Christ. It’s not something we earn—it’s a gift! And because justification is a legal declaration by God, (It's not a legal declaration.)

it cannot be undone. (Why? The author simply makes the assertion, but why can it not be undone?)

This is the foundation for why Christians cannot lose their salvation. Justification is not just a theological concept—it is the very foundation of our relationship with God. (Another undocumented claim.)

If salvation depended on our performance, we would constantly fear losing it. (But we have not been persuaded that justification demonstrates eternal security.)

But because justification is God’s work, not ours, we can have full assurance that our salvation is secure. This doctrine is not merely theoretical—it brings peace, confidence, and hope to every believer. (Actually, no. The author will deal with some objections below, where he will tell us that a person who falls away was never saved. 

This is problematic for the Calvinist. The author counsels us not to worry because our salvation is secure, but it is possible we might be false converts. A person who believes he is saved may not be saved, regardless of the doctrine.

Thus he cannot be truly at peace or confident because he cannot know if he's actually saved. So we either we worry we are not really saved [the Calvinist], or we worry about falling away [the non-Calvinist]. 

It's a worry either way.)

This assurance is deeply rooted in the biblical teaching that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. (The five solas of the Reformation. Thus we ascertain the author is a Calvinist.)

It is God who justifies the sinner, and His work is unchangeable. (This is the second time the author has stated this, but just like last time it is a bare assertion.)

Why Do We Need Justification? The Problem of Sin

Imagine you broke the law and had to stand before a judge. You know you are guilty. The law demands punishment. But what if the judge stepped down from the bench, paid your fine himself, and said, “You are free to go”? That’s what God did for us through Jesus. (No, it's not what God did. Such a courtroom scene is preposterous. No such thing happened. No court of law would even permit such a thing. 

Further, Jesus did not pay the Father our fine. He purchased us:

1Co. 6:20 you were bought at a price.

It was His shed blood [the price] that washed us clean. Jesus' death was a sacrificial transaction, not a legal one.)

The Bible tells us that:

• Everyone has sinned – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
•  Sin separates us from God – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23
• We cannot fix our sin problem – No amount of good works can make us right with God.

Our sin is not just a mistake—it is rebellion against a holy God. The penalty is eternal separation from Him. The law of God is perfect, and breaking even one command makes us guilty (James 2:10). No amount of effort, good deeds, or religious rituals can remove the stain of sin. Without justification, we stand condemned before a righteous Judge, deserving of His wrath.

But here’s the good news: Jesus Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, satisfied the justice of God and bore the penalty for our sins (Isaiah 53:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21). (Yes, Jesus did bear our sins...

1Pe. 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

...but the author misdefines the word "bore." The Greek word is anenenkein, To bring up, to offer, to bear, to carry up. He brought our sins up to the cross like carrying out a sack of garbage, and He nailed them there [Col. 2:15]. 

The Father did not punish Jesus in our place.)

Because of what He did, God declares us righteous when we put our faith in Him! And because justification is God’s work, not ours, it is permanent and cannot be revoked. (This is the third time the author has stated this, but just like last time it is a bare assertion.)

How Do We Know That Salvation Cannot Be Lost? Biblical Proof

Many wonder, “Can a Christian lose their salvation?” The Bible answers this with a resounding “No”. If salvation depended on our ability to remain faithful, we would all be lost. However, because salvation is entirely the work of God’s grace, it cannot be undone by human failure. (This is the fourth time the author has stated this. Let's see if his Bible verses prove his assertion. Hint: Nope. None of the verses mention human failure.)

1. Jesus Promises Eternal Security  

• John 10:27-29 (ESV) – “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. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (In context, Jesus was referring to those who were true Israel [Romans 9:8], because there are "other sheep" [Jn. 10:16, gentile believers]. This means Jesus was not talking about us.)

• Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Who is "us?" Hint: It's not you and me, it is those who received the firstfruits of the Spirit [Ro. 8:23]. Only the earliest believers could have received the firstfruits of the Spirit.)

• Philippians 1:6 (ESV) – “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.” (Sigh. Paul was talking about their partnership in the works of the Gospel, not their eternal security.)

When God justifies a sinner, He does not leave it up to them to sustain their salvation. Eternal life is just that—eternal. Jesus assures us that His sheep will never perish.

2. The Holy Spirit Seals Believers Forever

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) – “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Indeed. Those who are truly saved are sealed by the Holy Spirit. But the question remains: How does one know if one is truly saved?)

Addressing Common Objections: Hebrews 6 and James 2

Hebrews 6:4-6 – Does This Passage Teach That Salvation Can Be Lost?

Some argue that Hebrews 6:4-6 teaches that a Christian can lose salvation. The passage states:

“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.” – Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV)

At first glance, this may seem to suggest that a believer can fall away permanently. However, a closer look at the context shows that the passage is describing those who profess faith but are not truly regenerated. The warning is against apostasy—rejecting Christ after exposure to the truth.

1. The passage speaks of those who are ‘enlightened’ and ‘taste’ the heavenly gift, not those who are fully transformed. This describes exposure to the gospel, not genuine conversion. (We can read it for ourselves, sir. A person who cannot be restored to repentance means he was previously repentant. People who benefit from the crucifixion are saved, otherwise they cannot crucify him "again." Thus a person who has "tasted" the Heavenly gift has partaken of it [1Pe. 2:3]. A person "enlightened" has received light.)
2. True believers persevere because God preserves them. (Ah, there it is. "True believers." But one cannot know if one is a true believer.) Hebrews 3:14 clarifies: “For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” ("If?" Sounds conditional.)
3. This warning encourages self-examination, not fear. Those truly justified by faith remain in Christ (John 6:39). If someone falls away permanently, it is evidence they were never truly converted (1 John 2:19). (And the hammer drops. Falling away by losing one's salvation is functionally the same as falling away because one was not truly converted.)

James 2:17-26—Do Works Contribute to Salvation?

Another common objection comes from James 2:17, which states:

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – James 2:17 (ESV)

Some interpret this to mean that works are required to maintain salvation. However, James is not contradicting Paul’s teaching on justification by faith alone. Instead, he is addressing the evidence of true faith:

1. James is speaking of faith that produces works, not faith plus works for salvation.

• “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:18 (ESV) 

• True faith inevitably results in a transformed life (Ephesians 2:10).

2. Justification before God is by faith alone, but justification before men is demonstrated by works.

Justification before God is by faith alone, but justification before men is demonstrated by works.

• Abraham was justified before God by faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3), but his faith was proven by his actions (Genesis 22).

Works do not save us; they reveal that we are saved.

• “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” – James 2:26 (ESV)

James and Paul do not contradict each other. Paul speaks of how we are declared righteous before God (justification), while James speaks of how we demonstrate righteousness before others (sanctification).

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FAQ: Common Questions About Salvation and Security

Q: Can a Christian lose their salvation according to the Bible?
A: No, the Bible clearly teaches eternal security for believers. John 10:28-29 states that Jesus’ sheep “will never perish.” Once a person is justified by faith alone, their salvation is secure.

Q: What is justification by faith alone?
A: Justification means that God declares a sinner righteous based on faith in Jesus Christ, not works (Romans 3:28). It is a one-time, irreversible act of God.

Q: What are the best Bible verses about eternal security?
A: Some key passages include John 10:27-29, Romans 8:38-39, Philippians 1:6, and Ephesians 1:13-14. These verses affirm that salvation cannot be lost.

Trust in Christ Alone: Final Assurance of Salvation

Salvation is not found in human effort, religious rituals, or moral striving. It is found only in Jesus Christ. Our justification is entirely the work of God, accomplished through Christ’s perfect righteousness imputed to us by faith. Because salvation is rooted in God’s sovereign grace, it cannot be lost.
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Trust in Christ Alone: Final Assurance of Salvation

Salvation is not found in human effort, religious rituals, or moral striving. It is found only in Jesus Christ. Our justification is entirely the work of God, accomplished through Christ’s perfect righteousness imputed to us by faith. Because salvation is rooted in God’s sovereign grace, it cannot be lost.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1

Soli Deo Gloria!