And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
Matthew 21:19
Can a man lose his salvation? As we considered our text above last week, we compared it to another passage related to fruitlessness. In Jn 15:1-2, Jesus explained, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Is the point to this statement that we’d better watch our step in walking with the Lord or He just might retract our salvation? Is that the spiritual lesson in our text above as the fig tree is cursed and withers away? Can a man lose his salvation? If that man is truly saved, I say emphatically, “No!”
Some teach today that our salvation is not certain, that we can get it and lose it and then even get it back again! God doesn’t play around with souls that way. The reason men consider salvation with such uncertainty is because they don’t really understand how salvation works. They view salvation as a work of man. If man decides to be saved, then certainly he can undecide as well, right? But, what if salvation is a supernatural act of the sovereign God? What if Eph 2:8-9 is actually true?!! “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” If God is all-powerful and He alone saves the sinner, surely He is also able to keep him from falling! Indeed He is able, and that’s exactly what the word of God teaches.
One fact that clears up these misconceptions regarding salvation is to understand that salvation is a birth. As Christians, we’re familiar with the term “born again”, but it seems that many have forgotten that’s exactly how we are saved! As Jesus told Nicodemus in Jn 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He clarified this statement further when He said in v. 5, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” You are saved because you were born of the Spirit of God, making you a child of God. Salvation is a birth! Can a child be “unborn” once it is conceived? No way! Can a child no longer be your child once it is conceived? That child may break your heart, but he or she will always be your child. You can’t undo that fact. God made birth in the natural that way to teach us about the spiritual birth. Remember the prodigal? When he returned, he told his father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Lk 15:21) However, the father made it clear (even as our heavenly Father makes it clear), “you will always be ‘my son'”! (v. 24)
Jesus makes some powerful comments in Jn 6 which convey clearly that salvation is a work of God that cannot be undone! In v. 37, He begins, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me…” That portion reveals the sovereign work of the Father in drawing His children to Himself. The verse continues with the obvious response of those that are drawn: “…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” Those that the Father gives will come to Christ! This verse describes the beginning of salvation, but how certain is it that it will last? Listen to v. 39: “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” How many will Christ lose? None! They will all be raised up to eternal glory at the last day!
If salvation is a work of man, we’d have reason to fear, but if it’s a work of God, with Whom all things are possible, we have great reason to rejoice! Does the hymn, “Blessed Assurance” come to mind?!! Rest in that assurance, dear soul. Rejoice knowing that if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed! (Jn 8:36) The devil can never have you again. God saved you, and He’s also able to keep you! The Good Shepherd will see to it that you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps 23:6) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (Jn 10:27-29) God’s holding on to you, and He won’t let go–ever! 🙂
Jamie