Can True Believers Lose Their Salvation? Understanding Matthew 7:21-23

As a believer, you may have wondered whether it’s possible to lose your salvation or not. This is a topic that has sparked many debates over the years. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what Matthew 7:21-23 means in regards to this and whether true believers can lose their salvation. We’ll explore the Bible’s teachings on eternal security, grace and works, justification, sanctification, faith, obedience, perseverance, repentance, and forgiveness. Keep reading to learn more about this crucial topic.

Understanding the Context of Matthew 7:21-23

As we dive into the topic of whether true believers can lose their salvation based on Matthew 7:21-23, it’s essential to understand the context in which it was written. Matthew 7 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in which he teaches his followers about living a life pleasing to God.

Jesus begins Matthew 7 by warning against judging others hypocritically and how we should take the plank out of our own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else’s. He then goes on to teach about asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer, treating others the way we want to be treated, and entering through the narrow gate rather than the broad one.

It’s essential to note that in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus is specifically addressing those who call him “Lord, Lord” but do not do what he says. He is warning against false prophets who appear to be true followers of God but are merely wolves in sheep’s clothing. Therefore, we cannot take this passage out of context and apply it to all believers, but instead, we must understand its intended audience.

In the next sections, we will explore biblical teachings on eternal security, the importance of grace and works, justification, sanctification, faith, obedience, perseverance, the role of repentance and forgiveness, and warning against false conversion and false assurance.

Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security?

When discussing the concept of salvation, one of the most debated topics among Christians is the idea of eternal security. Simply put, eternal security means that once a person is saved, they remain saved forever – they cannot lose their salvation. However, Matthew 7:21-23 seems to suggest otherwise.

Many people interpret this passage to mean that genuine believers can lose their salvation if they fail to obey God or produce good works. But is this really what the Bible teaches?

It’s important to understand that the Bible does indeed teach eternal security – or the perseverance of the saints. This means that those who are truly saved will continue in their faith and good works until the end of their lives. They cannot lose their salvation because their salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not something that can be earned or lost based on their own merit.

However, this does not mean that believers are free to live however they please without consequence. Good works are evidence of genuine faith, and those who truly believe in Jesus will produce good fruit in their lives. As James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Furthermore, obedience and perseverance are important aspects of the Christian life. Those who truly love God will want to obey His commands and live lives that please Him. But this obedience is not what saves us – it is merely evidence of our salvation. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ultimately, the Bible teaches that those who are truly saved will persevere in their faith and good works until the end of their lives. While we may stumble and fall along the way, true believers will continue to repent and seek forgiveness when they sin.

So, as a Christian, it’s important to have assurance of your salvation while also living a life that reflects your faith. We cannot earn our salvation through good works or merit, but rather it is a gift given to us by God’s grace. Let us continually strive to live in obedience to Him, producing good fruit in our lives as evidence of our faith.

The Importance of Both Grace and Works

When it comes to the topic of salvation, there is often a debate between those who believe in the doctrine of eternal security and those who believe that believers can lose their salvation. However, it’s important to understand that both grace and works play a crucial role in our salvation, and neither should be neglected.

Here are some reasons why both grace and works are equally important:

1. Grace is necessary for salvation because it’s only through the unmerited favor of God that we can be saved. We cannot earn our salvation through good works or righteous behavior, but rather it’s a free gift that’s offered to us through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. At the same time, works are also important because they are an evidence of our salvation. James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” In other words, if we claim to have faith but do not have any good works, then our faith is not genuine.

3. Works are also necessary because they contribute to our sanctification, which is the process of becoming more like Christ. Through good works, we can develop the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and live a life that’s pleasing to God (Colossians 1:10).

4. However, we cannot rely solely on our works for salvation because we still fall short of God’s standard of righteousness (Romans 3:23). It’s only through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that we can be justified and made righteous in God’s sight (Romans 5:8-9).

5. Ultimately, it’s the combination of both grace and works that should lead us to live a life of obedience and faithfulness to God. We should strive to obey God’s commands out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us (John 14:15).

In summary, while there may be debate about the doctrine of eternal security, it’s essential to understand that both grace and works play a significant role in our salvation. By relying on God’s grace and doing good works, we can have assurance of our salvation and live a life that’s pleasing to Him.

[LIST]

• Grace is necessary for salvation.
• Works are evidence of our faith.
• Works contribute to our sanctification.
• We cannot rely solely on our works.
• The combination of grace and works should lead us to obedience.

Justification, Sanctification, and Faith

Justification, sanctification, and faith are essential to understanding salvation in Christianity. Justification is the act of God bringing a sinner into a right relationship with Himself based on faith, not based on good works or deeds. Sanctification is the process of being made holy and set apart for God’s work. The entire process of salvation is only obtainable through faith in Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 7:21-23, the passage states that not everyone who calls Jesus Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This does not mean that salvation is achieved through good works, but that good works are a natural fruit of salvation. When one is saved through faith, it brings forth a new life and a new way of living. That newly gained life will bear good fruit, not bad fruit.

Faith is the most important aspect of salvation, as it is the belief and trust in God’s plan for redemption. It is what saves us, it is what justifies us, it is what sanctifies us. When faith is placed in God, it is essential not to forget that Christ is not merely a Savior, but also a Lord. A true believer will continue to follow Jesus’ teachings, not because they earn their salvation, but because of their love for Christ.

The belief in the reality of eternal security does not negate the importance of obedience and righteous living as a fruit of faith. The grace of God saves and sustains us, which means the good works we do are not a means of earning salvation, but of showing our love and gratitude for God. A true believer desires to live a righteous life to please God and follow Christ’s example.

Therefore, the message of Matthew 7:21-23 is not a threat to the assurance of salvation, but a warning to those who claim to follow Christ but have not truly received Him through faith. Justification, sanctification, and faith are products of a true conversion, which will result in a life of faithfulness and perseverance. True salvation changes lives, and true believers will continue to follow Christ regardless of trials and tribulations.

In summary, Justification, sanctification, and faith are the foundations of salvation in Christianity. Though doing good works is not a requirement for salvation, they are natural fruits of a true conversion and evidence of our faithfulness in following Christ. Matthew 7:21-23 warns against false conversion and false assurance and emphasizes the importance of persevering in faith and obedience to the will of the Father.

Obedience and Perseverance as Evidence of Salvation

As a believer, one of the questions you may have is, “Can I lose my salvation?” In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus talked about those who called Him “Lord” but did not do what He commanded. This passage has caused many to question the doctrine of eternal security, which teaches that once you are saved, you cannot lose your salvation.

Understanding the Context of Matthew 7:21-23
It is essential to have an understanding of the context of Matthew 7:21-23 before we dive into its interpretation. In the previous verses, Jesus warned His disciples about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but are, in reality, ravenous wolves. He stated that they will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).

Then, in verses 21-23, Jesus spoke of those who prophesied, cast out demons, and did many mighty works in His name. However, at the judgment, He would declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).

Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security?
The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and those who believe in Jesus receive eternal life (John 3:16). The doctrine of eternal security is the belief that once a person is genuinely saved, they cannot lose their salvation.

Many scriptures support this doctrine, including John 10:28-29, where Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Another passage is Romans 8:38-39, which says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Importance of Both Grace and Works
The doctrine of eternal security does not mean that believers should live however they please. The Bible teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).

Justification, Sanctification, and Faith
Believers are justified by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-24), and their salvation is a work of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ and requires obedience and perseverance (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Hebrews 12:14).

Obedience and Perseverance as Evidence of Salvation
Believers’ love for Jesus should result in obedience to His commands (John 14:15). In John 15:8, Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Perseverance is another evidence of salvation. Jesus said, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

Here are some Scriptures that support the evidence of obedience and perseverance as evidence of salvation:

• James 1:22-25
• 1 John 2:3-6
• Philippians 2:12-13
• Hebrews 10:36-39

The Role of Repentance and Forgiveness
Believers are not perfect and will backslide or sin from time to time. However, the Bible teaches that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9).

Warning Against False Conversion and False Assurance
Jesus also warned against false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Believers should be on guard against false conversion and false assurance, which can deceive them into thinking they are saved when, in reality, they are not.

In conclusion, obedience and perseverance are essential evidence of salvation. While the doctrine of eternal security is biblical, it does not mean believers should live however they please. Rather, they should seek to live a life that glorifies God and obey Jesus’ commands out of love for Him.

The Role of Repentance and Forgiveness

As a believer, it’s important to understand the role of repentance and forgiveness in the concept of salvation. Repentance is all about turning away from sin and turning towards God. It’s acknowledging the wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness from God. Repentance is a vital aspect of salvation, as it involves surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ and being born again.

Forgiveness is another crucial aspect of salvation. When we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness, we can rest assured that He will forgive us. Forgiveness is not only a divine attribute, but it’s also something that we must strive to practice in our daily lives. As a believer, we are called to forgive others just as Christ forgave us.

Interestingly, the concept of forgiveness and repentance goes hand in hand. When we repent and ask for forgiveness, we are also called to forgive others. This is emphasized in the Lord’s prayer, “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Forgiveness is not only a critical aspect of our relationship with God but also our relationship with others.

It’s important to note that repentance and forgiveness are ongoing processes in the life of a believer. There will be times when we fall short, but the good news is that God is always willing to forgive us if we come to Him with a sincere heart and confess our sins.

Matthew 7:21-23 is a warning to false believers who only claim to follow Jesus but don’t practice what they preach. It’s a reminder that true followers of Christ are called to repent and live a life of obedience and faithfulness. Repentance and forgiveness are essential in the process of salvation, but it’s important not to take them for granted.

As believers, we should strive to cultivate a heart of repentance and forgiveness. We should be quick to confess our sins and turn away from them, and quick to forgive others who have wronged us. This is not only evidence of our salvation but also an essential aspect of discipleship and faithfulness.

In summary, repentance and forgiveness are critical in the process of salvation. They are ongoing processes in the life of a believer and should always be practiced with sincerity and humility. As believers, we should strive to cultivate a heart of repentance and forgiveness, both towards God and others.

Warning Against False Conversion and False Assurance

As you continue to seek understanding of Matthew 7:21-23, it’s important to consider the warning against false conversion and false assurance. This is because these concepts can conflict with the truth of eternal security, often leading to confusion and fear in believers.

Here are some key things to keep in mind:

1. False conversion is a real possibility. This occurs when a person claims to have received salvation, but has not truly repented and placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Instead, they may have been motivated by social pressure or a desire to “fit in” with their Christian community. False converts may appear devoted on the outside, but their hearts have not been truly transformed.

2. False assurance can be dangerous. This is when a person assumes that they are saved, but have not actually experienced the salvation offered by Jesus Christ. It can be easy to mistake good works and moral behavior for the evidence of true salvation. However, good works come as a result of sincere repentance and faith in Christ, not as a means to earn salvation.

3. Discipleship and faithfulness are key. As true believers, we are called to grow in our faith through discipleship and obedience. This does not mean that we will never stumble or backslide, but that we will persevere in our faith and continue to pursue righteousness. If we reject God’s grace through a pattern of unrepentant sin, we may experience the consequences of our choices, including a potential loss of rewards in heaven.

4. Judgment is real. While believers have the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, we must also remember that we will one day face judgment. This judgment determines our eternal destiny – either heaven or hell – based on our acceptance or rejection of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.

With these things in mind, it’s important to approach our faith with a genuine desire for repentance, obedience, and a growing understanding of who Christ is and what He has done for us. False conversion and false assurance can be avoided by placing our faith in Christ alone and pursuing a relationship with Him that lasts a lifetime.

To summarize, here are some key takeaways:

• False conversion and false assurance can lead to confusion and fear in believers.
• Discipleship and faithfulness are important evidences of salvation.
• Judgment is real, and we must be diligent in our pursuit of righteousness and faith in Christ.

Remember, as you continue to seek understanding of difficult passages like Matthew 7:21-23, always approach them with a heart of humility and a desire for truth.