SUBJECT:  Salvation---Losing it---Falling Away

QUESTION:  Can one fall away from the Salvation Process?  Can Satan steal our Salvation?

ANSWER:

In and of himself, Satan cannot steal one's salvation.  On the other hand, one can allow Satan and or sin to keep oneself from Salvation.  There is a distinct difference.  We can, of our own freewill, fall from the Salvation Process through neglect.  Notice some verses...

1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Note:  See the emphasis on the Christian resisting?  Notice also the word "devour".  If given in to, Satan can devour a Christian and keep them from Salvation.  It is the Christian giving in to Satan.

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 

Note:  Emphasis on the Christian.

Ephesians 4:27
Neither give place to the devil.

Note:  Emphasis on the Christian.

1 John 2:13
 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

Question:  What happens when one does not overcome the wicked one?  It would seem clear.

2 Peter 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Question:  What happens when one falls from his or her own stedfastness.

Hebrews 12:8
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

Question:  In this context, can a bastard be in the Kingdom?

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Question:  What happens if we are found reprobates?  Notice that one can guarantee their entrance to the Kingdom by constantly checking to see if they remain in the Salvation Process to which God called them.

Notice now these verses showing how a person can fall from the process:

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Notice that the focus of this verse is on God's part of the relationship and not ours.  God is saying that, if we be willing, He will continue with us (speaking to firstfruits, of course), until Christ comes and we change to spirit beings.  However, many verses speak to us falling away from Him.  When one falls away, they have quenched the Holy Spirit and if this happens, they lose Salvation.  Notice:
 
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
 
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
 
1 Timothy 4:1-3
4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
 
2 Timothy 3:1-3
3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
 
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
 
Matthew 24:9-12
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
 
Matthew 24:48-51
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:8-12---The foolish virgins
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
 
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.