Can salvation be lost? People have asked this for centuries. During Holy Week, Jesus taught many significant truths in Jerusalem. In the Parable of the Three Servants, one servant fell away, giving us insight into salvation.
According to their abilities, one servant received five bags of silver, a second two bags, and a third one bag. Then, the master went on a trip. When he returned, he called the servants to make an account. While the two servants doubled their money, the third buried it. When questioned by his master, he made excuses, blamed the master, and refused to take responsibility. The master referred to the servant as wicked and lazy.
Judgment Fell on the Wicked Servant
There will come a time when we must make an account of our lives. The wicked servant was ultimately thrown into hell because he lacked faith in his master. The parallel of this is Jesus as our master and Savior. Can people fall away from the faith? The answer is yes.
Matthew 25:28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more, will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’[1]
The Bible Tells Us We Can Fall Away from the Faith
Hebrews 2:1 So, we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.[2] This is a very severe warning! In the book of Hebrews, this is the first of five warnings. (Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:14-29) Hebrews 3:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.”[3]
The writer of Hebrews keeps sounding the alarm of not falling away because it is possible. The erosion of our faith can be so gradual we don’t realize the danger. Check yourself to make sure you are in the faith! The warnings of the book of Hebrews have confused some, but God’s word is very plain.
The letter to the Hebrews makes it clear not all who profess faith in Jesus will persist until the end. Some will fall away. Falling away takes little effort, but staying faithful is much more difficult. As believers, we must stay on guard and take action to remain faithful to Jesus. Don’t take the blessing of Jesus for granted, and mostly look to Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[4]
Can salvation be lost? To learn more, listen here:
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.