Is It Possible to Lose Your Salvation?

Yes, you can lose your salvation. Many Christians seek assurance of their eternal security but can become confused or misled by teachings such as Calvinism, which claim that once you’re (truly) saved, you’re always saved, no matter what. Yet, the Bible provides clear examples illustrating otherwise. Consider King Saul, who was anointed by God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and chosen to lead Israel. Despite this, Saul lost God’s favor and eventually lost the presence of the Holy Spirit due to his continual disobedience. Similarly, Samson, who was endowed with divine strength through the Spirit of God, lost his anointing because of repeated compromise and rebellion against God’s clear instructions.

These examples remind us that our relationship with God is maintained through ongoing faithfulness and obedience. Throughout Scripture, God consistently presents humanity with a choice—to follow Him and walk in obedience or to turn away and face the consequences of disobedience.

When I was younger, I struggled deeply. I thought I was doomed to hell because I couldn’t stop sinning, despite my best efforts. Learning about Calvinistic teachings like predestination made things worse—I thought perhaps I simply wasn’t chosen by God. This led me further from faith, deeper into sin, and farther away from the true message of the Bible.

The problem with Calvinism is that it twists scriptures like John 3:16—”For God so loved the world…”—into something restrictive, suggesting only a select few can truly be saved. This doctrine incorrectly asserts that it’s impossible to fully overcome sin in this life, claiming sanctification is a slow, lifelong struggle, despite clear biblical promises of complete transformation (1 Thessalonians 5:23) through Christ.

The Bible explicitly states that anyone can choose salvation. God offers each of us a genuine choice, just as He did with Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:17). It is up to you to decide whether you will follow Him or go your own way.

What Does the Bible Actually Say?

Here are clear Bible verses that counter the key points of Calvinism’s “TULIP” doctrine:

1. Against Total Depravity (the idea we can’t choose God):

• Deuteronomy 30:19 – “…therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
• Joshua 24:15 – “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
• John 1:9 – “[Jesus] lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
• Acts 17:30 – “God… commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”
• Romans 2:14–15 – “…Gentiles… show the work of the law written in their hearts.”
• Revelation 3:20 – “If any man hear my voice… I will come in to him.”

2. Against Unconditional Election (the belief only certain people can be saved):

• John 3:16 – “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish.”
• 1 Timothy 2:4 – “[God] will have all men to be saved.”
• 2 Peter 3:9 – “[God] is not willing that any should perish.”
• Romans 10:13 – “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• Matthew 23:37 – “How often would I have gathered thy children… and ye would not!”

3. Against Limited Atonement (that Christ died only for some):

• 1 John 2:2 – “He is the propitiation… for the sins of the whole world.”
• Hebrews 2:9 – “He… tasted death for every man.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 – “He died for all.”
• John 1:29 – “[Jesus] taketh away the sin of the world.”
• Isaiah 53:6 – “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

4. Against Irresistible Grace (that God’s grace cannot be rejected):

• Acts 7:51 – “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.”
• Matthew 23:37 – “I would have gathered… ye would not!”
• Luke 7:30 – “The Pharisees rejected the counsel of God.”
• Hebrews 3:7–8 – “Harden not your hearts.”

5. Against Perseverance of the Saints (once saved, always saved):

• Hebrews 6:4–6 – Those who “fall away” after enlightenment can’t be renewed again.
• Hebrews 10:26–29 – “If we sin wilfully… there remaineth no more sacrifice.”
• 2 Peter 2:20–22 – Returning to sin after escaping the world’s corruption results in a worse condition.
• Galatians 5:4 – Those justified by the law have “fallen from grace.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:27 – Paul disciplined himself, concerned he might become a “castaway.”

Bonus: God’s Universal Desire to Save All People:

• Ezekiel 18:23 – “Have I any pleasure… that the wicked should die?…that he should return and live!”
• Micah 6:8 – “[God] hath showed thee, O man, what is good.”
• Romans 2:4 – “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.”

God’s Love is for Everyone

When Jesus was crucified, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). In this profound moment, Jesus extended His forgiveness not only to those present at His crucifixion but to all humanity, demonstrating God’s heart of compassion toward everyone—not just a select group. God’s desire is genuinely for all people to repent and turn to Him in sincerity and truth.

Regardless of denomination or professed belief, the Bible instructs us to discern spiritual authenticity by examining the fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) produced in people’s lives. As Christ Himself taught, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Sadly, in my own observation, many professing Christians continue to display carnality and worldliness in their lifestyles and behaviors, revealing a gap between their claims and their genuine spiritual condition. The Apostle John urges us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). True Christianity is evidenced not by mere words or outward appearances but by genuine, lasting spiritual fruit.

If you sincerely desire salvation and true peace, I’ve clearly outlined how you can attain it in this article. You aren’t reading this by accident—God Himself is calling you right now, inviting you into a deep, personal relationship where His love becomes real in your life.

The decision rests with you: will you settle merely for a temporary “peace of mind,” hoping you’re eternally secure despite continued sin, or will you embrace the instruction of the apostles, who command us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)? This choice is between true holiness and purity, as opposed to outward religious conformity without inner transformation (2 Timothy 3:5).

Our lifetime is our one opportunity to secure full salvation; each of us possesses only one precious soul to either save or lose. When we stand before God at judgment, no excuses will suffice—not claims that the devil deceived us, nor that a pastor, preacher, or online “Christian influencer” misled us. At that time, all rationalizations fall away, and only the truth remains. Scripture solemnly warns us, “without holiness no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Consider carefully your life right now. Are you truly walking in holiness? Have you genuinely ceased from sin, or have you accepted the false notion that it’s impossible to stop sinning in this lifetime? Are you sanctified wholly? The choice is yours alone.

As for me, I am resolved: “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).