I will try to explain this most unpopular teaching from the word of God in simple terms. Some people think we can’t, but is this truly what the word of God teaches? I would guess that the first question many people will ask is, “Now isn’t salvation a gift? How in the world could one lose it?”

Absolutely salvation is a gift, but let’s say I gave you a gift, it’s now your responsibility to do what you please with it. You could cherish it and keep it safe or you could take it and throw it in the garbage can. I didn’t take it away, you gave it up. In the same way, God gives us the gift of salvation, and He never takes it back, but we can certainly discard this precious gift by turning back to our old lives of sin. If you are deliberately living in a lifestyle of sin, then you have turned your back on Christ. Im not talking about struggling with sin, but wallowing in it. There’s grace to struggle, but when you give up and let it over-take your life, and you’re no longer seeking freedom from the sins that entangle you, you have fallen away from Christ.

It’s not God who puts people in hell; sure in the end He pulls the lever, but it’s in response to our choice to live outside of His kingdom; our own decisions determine our destination. Make your choice: smoking or non-smoking?

Also remember if the salvation package includes freedom from sin. This means that if we turn back to rebellion, we are rejecting salvation. We cannot have the forgiveness part of the gospel without the freedom from sin part. But don’t take my word for it, here are a handful of scriptures showing this reality to be true:

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.” (Hebrews 3:12-14)

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Hebrews 10:26-27)

“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” (2 Peter 2:20-21)

“Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.” (2 Peter 3:17)

“…But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:20-22)

There are many, many more verses like these scattered throughout the new testament; we would be wise to heed the word of God, rather than hold to flimsy opinions of man. For when the rain comes and the wind blows, we may very well find our life in shambles when we stand before the King.

Ask yourself honestly, are you sliding back into compromise, or are you standing firm in righteousness? Do you hate sin, or do you flirt with it everyday? Do you hunger after righteousness, or are you apathetic towards the desires of the King? Does the thought of sinning make you nauseous? Is it a disgusting thing to you? Where is your heart? Don’t be deceived by a false sense of security,

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6)

I say all these things because I believe it to be of deadly importance to include the whole message of scripture. How can one build a strong foundation on Christ if vital pieces are missing? Holes in the gospel deflate the power contained within.