If you are a Christian who has taken the time to read the Bible and do at least a little digging into theology, then you probably love to debate. One of the most often debated topics in Bible schools across the globe is that of Calvinism vs. Arminianism, or more specifically a subset of those two theologies around the notion of Eternal Security. For some, once you have placed your trust in Jesus your eternal fate is sealed, and for others it is merely a decision that can be reversed later. There are problems on both sides of the debate.

For instance, Arminian theology teaches that one can lose their salvation either by openly rebelling against God and walking away from him or through too little time confessing one’s sins. This can lead to a disturbing condition where one is constantly struggling to determine if they are saved. No doubt our enemy would like nothing more than to have Christians spend their time trying to be saved than growing in faith and holiness. On the other side of the coin, Calvinists teach that one can never lose their salvation leading some to “accept” Jesus and continue living in openly sinful life. Which position is right? My answer may surprise you.

Whether or not one can lose their salvation shouldn’t matter in the least.

Before such an outrageous statement can be confirmed, one must first examine the purpose of the New Testament Scriptures. Matthew, Mark and John all wrote their gospels to convince different audiences that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and the savior of the world. Luke’s gospel is purposed to leaving a historical record of the life of Jesus (Luke 1.1-4), one that was useful to the Romans and, later, the rest of Western civilization. These books set out to show us the man in whom we are to trust for salvation, but all the rest of the New Testament (with the exception of Revelation) is to teach us how to live as faithful followers of Jesus.

Of course the New Testament teaches us far more than how to live, it contains truth about God (theology) about the effects of sin and our spiritual enemies, to reveal the mystery of the church and the qualifications of church leadership and much, much more. In the end, however, the collection is suitable to instructing the man of God in every way that is relevant to his relationship with God (2 Timothy 3.14-17).

It seems to me that if one has truly committed his trust to Jesus that person would examine the Bible and live in a way that would honor his savior. Should he do so over the course of his life, as is expected, then there is no question about his eternal security. Good theology and righteous living is not necessary for salvation (or else we would be saved by works), but as James argues a conversion experience results in works that then prove out the person’s salvation (James 2.17-18). Jesus affirms this deduction by stating that we will know our brothers and sisters by their fruit (or good works, Matthew 7.15-20).

If it is true that a Christian who walks with his Lord throughout his life need not concern himself with the security of his salvation, then why ask the question if it is possible to lose it? Because there are those who claim to follow Christ yet do not live out their life in devotion to God. Is it, as the Armenians claim, that he has lost his salvation? Or is it that he never truly put his trust in Jesus to begin with, as the Calvinists assert? Again, I say that it does not matter as either way the body of Christ is to treat the man the same, as an unbeliever who must come to repentance (Matthew 18.15-.17, 1 Corinthians 5.1-5). The Bible is clear about the treatment of those who turn from God and unclear about the turncoat’s eternal fate. As such, there are two kinds of people who ask the question, can a person lose their salvation?

The first type of person is the turncoat themselves. A person who once claims to have trusted Jesus and later began living life for themselves may want to know what their fate will be. Such a person ought to examine James 1.2-8 and not expect to receive anything from God.

…for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.

The second type of person is the believer who is close to the one who has walked away and is looking for comfort. We want to know if we will see that person one day on the other side of eternity. The only answer the Bible gives is that we are to trust God to do what is right, just as we do in all other areas of our life. Whether this answer is comforting or not depends on just how much one trusts God.