ByDeliberate sinning has been a concern among many new converts. That is because such people are of a school of thought that there are some things one must do to prevent the loss of one’s salvation. But is that doctrine true?
For many new converts, the fear of deliberate sin is a real and pressing concern. Why? Because they are new to the faith and don’t physically look like the new creatures they are in Christ, which is a spiritual reality regardless of how they feel. But neither they nor any born-again Christian doesn’t have to feel that way.
Why some Christians deliberately sin
Many Christians who secretly struggle with sin are spiritually immature. So a large percentage of them are babes in Christ. Why do I say this?
The babe in Christ has the tendency to practice worldliness because of his ignorance or doubt of the potency of God’s power in him to live above the dictates of the flesh.
It must be taught that the spirit and body of each child of God had been purchased by the blood of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:22-23, Acts 20:28). Hence, we belong to God. And walking in such consciousness must be a priority in our daily walk of faith in Christ.
Your works neither save you nor keep your salvation
Imagine you are a lawyer who earned a certificate by passing the bar exams. If you were to lose a case in court, it does not automatically mean you are no longer a lawyer. Similarly, being a lawyer is not just about winning cases. Passing the bar exams and being called to the bar is what makes someone a lawyer. Right?
In the same way, the security of your salvation doesn’t depend on your dos and don’ts as God’s child. It’s your identity before the Lord. In fact, as Jesus is, so are you in this world (see 1 John 4:17).
Your works will neither save nor keep your salvation. Your salvation is secured regardless of what you do in Christ. Why? Because the God who brought you near Him will not cast you out (see Ephesians 2:13, John 6:37).
You are saved by grace through faith and not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, it’s the same grace, that is fully of God, that ensures your salvation is intact. It’s time to live right as God’s righteousness.
Also Read: How Can I Verify My Salvation in Christ
What About Apostasy?
Big question indeed! By the way, what does it mean?
Apostasy means the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief. So when the believer no longer sees the worth of following Jesus, then he has committed apostasy. Unfortunately, that can happen, and I’ve heard it happen to someone before. Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV) says,
[4] “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, [6] if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
So when a mature believer leaves the faith, the Word says that act subjects Christ Jesus to a second crucifixion, which never happened. Therefore, they cannot be renewed again unto repentance. In other words, they’ve lost their salvation.
God still loves apostates. He loves sinners but not sin. So just because a person committed apostasy doesn’t mean you, as a believer, shouldn’t express God’s love to him. Do it, at least for him to see something good in this fallen world.
If you were a lawyer and chose to act unethically, you could face disbarment or lose your license. Similarly, if you choose to abandon your faith in Christ, you risk losing your salvation.
Grow in the knowledge of the Truth
Now that you know the ins and outs of the security of your salvation, what must you do as a believer? It’s simple; grow in the knowledge of the Truth.
The more you keep growing in grace and the knowledge of Christ, the more your mind will be renewed by the Word. And it’ll become so strong that sin or evil deeds won’t be a part of your thoughts, much more to think of submitting your body to serve it.
Yield your body to do righteousness (see 1 John 3:7), secretly and publicly. Don’t fancy the exploration of evil deeds with the intention that God will forgive you. No! You’re called to be free, but not to use it for evil deeds.
I hope this article really helped you answer the question, “Will I lose my salvation if I deliberately sin?” Share with a friend if you were impacted by it.
