Can a person lose their salvation? Can he fall from grace? John Calvin (a key part of the Protestant Reformation) began popularizing this belief in the 16th century. He advocated that people are born in sin, they cannot resist God’s grace, and once they are saved, they are always saved.

John 10:27-29 is a text commonly used to promote the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.”

What is being taught in John 10:27-29?

  • Jesus is the good Shepherd. He leads, protects, and provides eternal life to the flock of God.
  • These promises are given to those who hear, follow, and remain in a relationship with Him (John 10:3, 5, 9; 15:4-7). These are choices that people must make!
  • This text has nothing to do with being once saved and always saved. It is a text about the promises and faithfulness of Jesus! Those who believe in and obey Jesus are given everything they need to experience spiritual life now and in eternity.

Christians can lose their salvation.

  • They can fall away (Matthew 13:20-21).
  • They can be spiritually disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
  • They can fall from grace (Galatians 5:4).
  • They can suffer shipwreck in their faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20).
  • They can drift away (Hebrews 2:1).
  • They can develop unbelieving hearts that fall away from God (Hebrews 3:12-14).
  • They can be cut off from God (Romans 11:17-22).
  • They can become entangled again in sin (2 Peter 2:20-22).
  • They can have their names blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5).

Why is this possible?

  • God made all people with the ability to make choices (Joshua 24:15).
  • Simon became a follower of Jesus. He believed the gospel and was baptized (Acts 8:12-13; Mark 16:16). Unfortunately, not long after his initial conversion, Simon sinned. He tried to purchase the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit with money (Acts 8:18-19).
  • Peter rebuked Simon for his wicked heart! He told him to repent and seek the Lord’s forgiveness through prayer (Acts 8:20-24). It mattered how Simon decided to live and conduct himself after becoming a Christian!

Conclusion:

God has extended His grace to all people. Those blessed to be part of His flock can either continue in faithful obedience to God or fall away and be lost.