The Backslider Can Be Saved
If a born again Christian backslides but then repents of his sin, he can be saved. The Lord promises, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). The Lord not only forgives the sins of the backslider but also cleanses him from all unrighteousness by the power of His sanctifying spirit (1 John 1:9). God gives the sinner victory over all sin and the weakness of the flesh.
But if the Backslider doesn’t repent of his sin, he will not be saved. The secret of continued salvation is in continued abiding in Christ. If a person does not abide in Christ, he withers and dies. When the branch is separated from the vine, the source of life is gone (John 15:4).
A Christian Can Loose His Salvation
Some claim that a Christian can never lose his salvation – once saved always saved. But the Bible teaches that a believing, trusting Christian who is connected to the living vine may choose to separate from the vine at any time. So, he can choose to be lost no matter how saved he once was. Here are some Bible references:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:1-6).
“If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father” (1 John 2:24).
“If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38).
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch” (John 15:6).
“If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51).
“If thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22).
“If ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).
“If we endure, we shall also reign with him: If we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12).
“If we sin willfully . . . there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26).
Conclusion
From the above verses, we learn that as long as the believer chooses to connect himself to the Lord, his salvation will be secure in God. And if he chooses to disconnect himself from God, then, he will be overcome by the devil. But if the backslider repents fully and follows the Lord, he can be saved.
The most important point that the backslider would not keep on swinging between the world and the Lord. This state causes his heart to be hardened against the convictions of the Holy Spirit to the point that he no longer hears the voice of God and thus commits the unpardonable sin and loses his salvation (Matthew 12:31-32).
For more on this topic check out Can a Christian lose their Salvation?
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
