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The concept of ‘once saved, always saved’ – or that just because someone said the words of some ‘sinner’s prayer’ they are ‘saved’ – is Scripturally just NOT true.
If someone mouths the words of a ‘sinner’s prayer’ (even if they meant them at the time) but then turns their back on God and lives a reprobate sinful lifestyle, happy in their sins until the day that they die – completely unrepentant – they most assuredly are not ‘saved’.
A simple analogy: Someone marries then rejects their spouse, gets divorced and then with their heart and life commits and devotes themselves to another spouse. Are they still married to their first spouse? No – of course not. They chose to reject their first love.
So it is in Christianity, in salvation.
A person can become apostate; meaning, a person can abandon or renounce their belief and this is so sad when it happens: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1Timothy 4:1)
“For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened – those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come – and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
So, a person can lose their salvation if they do this, but if a believer has no intention of abandoning or renouncing their faith they will be protected and kept until the end.
However:
a) Some people either were never saved in the first place because they did not mean what they mumbled in a sinner’s prayer.
b) Others possibly were saved but chose to reject Jesus and the Father and ‘divorce’ their own hearts and lives from God and His teachings on the way we are to live our lives.
The true Christian life is ongoing Christian living according to the will of the Father and in obedience to His Word. True salvation is a heart change, resulting in a life change.
This life change will produce holiness in someone who is genuinely saved: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
And it will produce obedience to ALL of God’s commands and the instructions for Godly living given to us in the Bible.
Jesus Himself said: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” (Philippians 2:12)
Jesus also said: “He who overcomes will be clothed in white garments; and I WILL NOT ERASE his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
The Book of Life is commonly used throughout Scripture as the record of those who are saved and will live with God for eternity.
Now think for a minute!
What a dud (pointless) promise for Jesus to make if it isn’t actually possible to have your name removed from the “Book of Life” in the first place?
Other verses on not ‘once saved, always saved’: Hebrews 3:12-19 ; Hebrews 6:4-12 ; Hebrews 10:26-27 & 38-39 ; Hebrews 12:25 ; Psalm 51:11 ; Genesis 6:3
c) Some people just never accepted salvation at any stage of their life.
A person can lose their salvation by simply not responding to God’s grace and love, so they can lose the chance to have eternal life with Jesus by simply not accepting Him.
He provided salvation for all of mankind, but unfortunately not all are going to respond to His call and accept it. God will not force His salvation upon anyone, but wishes that all of mankind will accept it freely.
Only God can judge the heart and only God knows whether or not the person will turn back.
Remember Jesus said: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name and in Your Name drive out demons and, in Your Name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’”, or as one translation puts it: “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)
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