~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: How can a person know when they lost their salvation?Answer: I'm glad you found us, and I want to say that I appreciate your sensitivity to the condition of your soul.
Of course, the Bible does teach that it is possible to sin, and to make a decision to leave God. No man can take us out of His hands, but we can take ourselves out. God is not going to force us to serve Him, even after we accept Him.
Your question about how we can know is a very good one. Clearly, it cannot be based on our feelings. Our feelings are greatly subject to change. It's a good thing that our salvation is not based on how we feel on a given day! If it's not based on feelings, then what is it based on? Nothing less or more than God's own Word - the Bible.
The Scripture teaches in James 4:17: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Here is the Biblical definition for sin, and how we know we've commited it. To sin is to "transgress." That means to cross over into an area that is off limits, an area God has declared a "No Trespassing" area.
The loss of one's salvation happens when we knowingly and purposely sin; that's why this definition from James is so important.
So how do we know we have crossed that line? When we sin. How do we know that? When we violate God's known will, which is His Word. I want to add that God's Spirit also works with His Word to convince us and reveal to us when we sin. It's easy to see that this is one reason why a knowledge and understanding of the Bible is so important - we're going to be judged by it one day.
Let me hasten to add that God does not intend for us to constantly worry and wring our hands over whether or not we are still saved; we can have a know so salavation. Satan is the author of torment and confusion; God is the author of peace, love, and a sound mind.
This is just a brief response to your question. Don't hesitate to contact us with any further questions or needs. God bless you as you walk with Him.
Copyright © 2012 - The Lorain County Free-Net Chapel
North Central Ohio, U.S.A.
Home of David Wilkerson's Times Square Church Pulpit Series Multilingual Web Site
http://www.tscpulpitseries.org
Webmaster
This page was last updated October 10, 2012.
Why Revival Tarries/ "Help!"/ What's Here/ Bookstore/ Statement of Faith/ Bible Study/ Around the Piano/ Bulletin Board/ Library/ Home