Answer:
Good question. While many ministers would disagree with me, I believe it is possible to lose your salvation once you have received it. I believe it is actually a dangerous doctrine to teach you can never lose it because that is basically a free pass for anyone to do anything they want after they accept Christ and say “my salvation is guaranteed”.
Here is a verse in scripture that talks about those who do are worse off than before they even knew Christ since they received and later rejected it:
2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog has turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Let me also say, the Bible promises us the Holy Spirit will seal our salvation. Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
So perhaps the better or more accurate theology is that you can “give away your salvation” rather than lose it. I believe for those who love the Lord and try to walk according to His commands that it is impossible to lose your salvation, but I know of some who once saved decided to utterly walk away from God and never looked back, publicly denying they were ever Christs. For these, I believe it is possible to step outside of eternal grace.
Thanks,
Pastor Brad
Ps – the good news…as long as we keep loving Him and walking with Him we won’t ever lose it 🙂