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Assurance of Salvation
Start with the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23 and label the four soils and who they represent.
1
2
3
4
One of these soils represents each person at the study. Is there one you resonate most with? Have you felt as if you were different soils at different times?
What do 1 Peter 1:3-8, John 10:27-30, Hebrews 10:14, and Romans 8:30 suggest about salvation? Does it seem like we cannot lose it?
What do Hebrews 6:3-9, Hebrews 10:26-31, and 2 Peter 2:17-22 suggest about salvation? Does it seem like we can lose it?
Who initiates and perfects our faith?
Hebrews 12:2, Philippians 1:6
If God is the author and finisher of our faith, then why do some people fall away? Based on how you answer, it will determine if you believe in eternal security or conditional security.
Eternal security: “They were never really saved to begin with.”
Conditional security: “They were saved but gave themselves over to sin and forfeited their salvation.”
Allow a time of discussion. Center around 1 John 2:18-25.
My personal thoughts:
Man is dead in sin and separated from God (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-2).
Man is incapable of coming to God on his own; man needs the grace of God to even draw near (Romans 3:10-12, John 6:44).
God, however, draws all men to Himself (John 10:30-38, John 16:7-15, Romans 8:9, Exodus 3:14, John 8:58, and John 12:32).
Men can either resist the grace of God or allow it to draw them near to Him for salvation (Hebrews 3:15, Acts 7:51, Acts 16:46-48, John 3:16-21).
Those who cooperate with God's grace eventually come to Christ in saving faith (Hebrews 12:2, Philippians 1:6), are born again (John 3:3), and receive a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:24-36).
The new nature aligns with God's will (1 Corinthians 2:9-16, Romans 8:1-17, Galatians 3:1-14, Galatians 5:24-26, and Titus 3:3-8).
The new nature causes them to turn from sin (1 John 3:7-10) and live for the Lord Jesus in increasing sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3, Romans 1:17, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Acts 26:18, Colossians 3:5, and Hebrews 12:3-17).
Those that fall away were in the process of salvation but never had their salvation mature to completion and are seeds 2 or 3 (Hebrews 6:4-8, 1 Timothy 1:18-20, 1 Timothy 4, and 2 Peter 2:20).
God is drawing all of us, tilling our hearts, and preparing them to receive the gospel. Our hearts are like soil, and God is the one preparing it for the seed of the gospel. If we resist, there may come a point where He cuts us off from Christ and gives us over to our sin.
Those who follow Christ for years and then turn away were trees that appeared to be producing fruit for salvation, but ultimately it did not mature. If they deny Christ, they are antichrists. Was Judas ever saved (John 6:63-71)? Yet, on the outside appearance, he looked like the other apostles, and no one suspected his heart was evil. Only the Lord Jesus knew. Judas agreed with Christ for a while but never came to a full heart commitment.
At some point, if we do not make the full commitment to Christ in genuine saving faith, God may stop drawing us and working on our hearts, letting the sinful nature harden so that the individual denies Christ, as they always wanted, since the faith wasn't proven real by not enduring the trials (1 Peter 3:3-8 and Acts 14:21-22).
These two verses sum up my understanding:
God is drawing, they are resisting, and in danger of being cut off, but not fully committing to Christ in genuine faith. The tree has been formed, but there is no fruit of salvation.
[6] And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ [8] And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. [9] Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9)
Those that abide and are saved, produce the fruits of salvation and prove the reality of their salvation.
[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1-8)
Can we lose salvation then? In one aspect, yes, if in the saving process for the soil of our hearts to bring forth fruit, we abandon Christ due to persecution, or something comes and draws us away from the gospel. In another aspect, I say no, for:
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” (2 Timothy 2:19)
Those of genuine faith (Jeremiah 17:10, 1 Samuel 16:17), God preserves and carries them to the end.
What are your thoughts?
Do you believe a genuine believer can lose salvation?
Why or why not?
What scriptural support do you offer for your position?
“When in doubt, don't focus on your fruit; reconnect with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Root.”
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