Topic(s): Christian Life, Salvation

Todd Clippard

This is a question of considerable controversy in the religious world, though it should not be.

When a man sins for the first time, he becomes separated from God, "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The only remedy for sin is the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5).

When one obeys the gospel, he is saved (Mark 16:15-16). Therefore, we understand that obeying the gospel is the means by which one is saved or freed from sin (Romans 6:17-18). We maintain contact with Jesus' blood by living faithfully to God, which is called "walking in the light" in 1 John 1:7.

Now, let's look more closely at 1 John 1:7 -- "if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

First note the epistle is written to Christians. This is seen from John's use of the pronoun "we" throughout the epistle. Thus, John is including himself in his writing.

Second, note the conditionality of the statement - walking in the light (faithful living) is the condition upon which continual cleansing takes place.

Therefore, it is proper and logical to say that a failure to walk in the light would cause a Christian not to enjoy the provision of forgiveness. What then would be that Christian's spiritual condition? If contact with Jesus' blood is necessary for forgiveness, and that contact is not maintained, then the only logical conclusion is that the Christian is lost.

Note also Galatians 5:4 -- "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." This epistle is also written to Christians (1:1-2). If we are saved by grace (and we are Acts 15:11; Ephesians 2:5, 8), then what is the result of falling from grace? It must mean a state of being lost. There is no alternative.
Revelation 3:5 provides a conditional statement to the Christians at Sardis, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life . . ." So what may be here inferred? The blotting out of a Christian's name from the book of life is possible. Incidentally, the means by which one "overcomes" is with the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11).

Now - look at the situation of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:5-25. He believed the preaching of Philip and was baptized. Yet, he later committed a grievous sin by trying to buy the power to pass on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Peter told him his heart was not right with God, and that he needed to repent and pray for forgiveness.

This is the second law of pardon for the Christian. When we become unfaithful, if we are willing to repent and confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Finally, James 5:19-20 says, "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James says a brother (Christian) who errs from the truth (becomes lost) needs converting (changing) to save his soul from death (hell) and hide a multitude of sins (remember 1 John 1:9).

Most of the religious world does not believe a Christian can so sin as to be lost, but they do not get this doctrine from the Bible. The scriptures cited above (and many more could be cited) are crystal clear in their teaching. A Christian can sin so as to be lost, but through repentance, confession, and prayer can be restored to a right relationship with God.