Can I Lose My Salvation? (John 10:28-29, Hebrews 6:4-6)

1. Introduction

You’ve probably asked this question in a quiet moment, or maybe it came up in a tough season: Can I lose my salvation? That worry can creep in when you stumble, when life feels distant from God, or when other Christians say things that unsettle you. You’re not alone — this is one of the biggest, most personal questions a believer can face. In this article, you’ll walk through the key Bible passages people use in this debate, get clear, simple explanations, and find practical encouragement to live confidently in your faith. You’ll see both the promises and the serious warnings in Scripture so you can follow Jesus with both assurance and honesty.

📖 2. The Bible Foundation

John 10:28–29 — Promise of Eternal Life

John 10:28-29 (NIV) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

This passage is part of Jesus’ “Good Shepherd” teaching. He’s speaking about those who follow him — his sheep — and he promises them eternal life. The language is strong: “never perish,” “no one will snatch them out.” In plain terms, Jesus is assuring you that the gift of eternal life is secure because it rests on his power and the Father’s sovereignty, not on your ability to hold on perfectly.

Hebrews 6:4–6 — A Serious Warning

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NIV) “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance…”

Hebrews uses sober language. The author warns against turning away after experiencing the realities of God’s grace. Taken at face value, it sounds like some people who have had real encounters with God can “fall away” in a way that makes restoration extremely difficult or even impossible. The church has long wrestled with what the author means by “impossible” and who exactly is in view.

Both passages are authentic Bible texts, and they represent two sides of tension in Scripture: God’s unshakable promise and the real, serious possibility of falling away from the faith.

🧠 3. Understanding the Core Truth

At the heart of this discussion is one simple idea: salvation in Scripture rests on both God’s faithfulness and human response. John 10 emphasizes God’s initiative and power in keeping you — salvation as a gift kept by the Shepherd. Hebrews emphasizes the reality of apostasy — that people who looked like believers could abandon the way and face dire spiritual consequences.

The core truth you can embrace is this: God is powerful and loyal, and yet He calls you to perseverance. It isn’t a contradiction when you hold both truths together: God secures salvation, but he calls you into a living relationship that involves faith, repentance, and growth. This helps you see your faith as both a received gift and a journey you live out.

🌊 4. Going Deeper — The Hidden Meaning

When you dig deeper, you see different Bible writers use different emphases for pastoral reasons. Jesus comforts and secures his followers (John 10) because his audience faces fear and persecution. The writer of Hebrews warns the community because some were growing complacent or tempted to abandon Jesus under pressure. Hebrews uses sharpened warnings as a pastoral tool — like a doctor issuing a blunt diagnosis so a patient will take treatment seriously.

Think about it this way: if a parent tells a teenager, “I will always love you,” that’s not a free pass to live recklessly. Likewise, a pastor saying, “If you walk away from the church, you may lose your spiritual roots,” isn’t denying God’s love — it’s urging caution. Paul calls believers to work out their salvation with “fear and trembling” (see Philippians 2:12-13), because God’s grace produces sober responsibility.

An example from Scripture: Peter denies Jesus and then is restored (see John 21:15-19). Peter’s failure didn’t cost him his calling, but it led to repentance, humility, and a deeper walk with Christ. That’s a picture of how repentance and restoration work in the life of a believer.

💡 5. Modern Connection — Relevance Today

This matter isn’t only theoretical. Your workplace, family, and inner struggles press you daily. When you worry, it affects your witness and your peace. Understanding both the promise and the warning helps you live honestly: you can rest in Christ’s protection, and you can also take discipline seriously.

In practical life, this translates to habits that keep your faith alive — community, confession, Scripture, prayer, and service. You won’t earn salvation by them, but they are the natural fruit of a life trusting God. Consider congregations where people “checked out” under social pressure; often, there were patterns of isolation, lack of spiritual encouragement, and unchecked sin. Preventing “falling away” happens in the web of relationships God provides.

❤️ 6. Practical Application — Living the Message

You want simple, concrete steps you can do this week to live with both assurance and vigilance. Start small and consistent:

• Reconnect with Scripture daily — even 10 minutes in the morning helps anchor you.
• Find one friend or a small group where you can speak truth and be honest about struggles.
• Practice repentance quickly: when you fail, confess and seek restoration instead of hiding.
• Serve regularly: serving shifts your focus from performance to loving others.
• Remind yourself of God’s promises — memorize John 10:28-29 or Romans 8:38-39 for assurance.

These aren’t magic spells; they’re rhythms that reshape your heart and make falling away less likely. They also open the door for God’s grace to heal and keep you.

7. 🌿 Faith Reflection Box

Take a quiet moment. Ask yourself: When have I felt far from God, and what helped me return? What spiritual rhythms am I missing that keep me connected? Where do you need to ask for help this week?

Key Takeaways

• Hold both truths: God secures believers, and Scripture warns against falling away.
• Assurance comes from Christ, not your performance — but a living faith shows itself through repentance and obedience.
• Build daily rhythms (Bible, prayer, community, service) to nurture perseverance.

👉 8. Q&A

Q1: If Jesus says no one can snatch you out of his hand (John 10:28-29), does that mean you can’t ever lose salvation even if you live a sinful life? Answer: Jesus’ promise emphasizes his power to give and keep eternal life to those who belong to him. It doesn’t excuse willful, unrepentant living. The New Testament repeatedly calls believers to holiness and warns against persistent sin (see Romans 6:1–2). Assurance comes from trusting Christ and allowing the Spirit to change you; if you’re living in ongoing rebellion, Scripture invites you to repent and be restored. If you’re worried, talk to a pastor or mature believer and bring your concerns into prayer and confession.

Related: Can You Lose Your Salvation? What the Bible Says

Q2: Who is the author of Hebrews talking about in Hebrews 6:4-6 — can ordinary Christians fall away permanently? Answer: Hebrews is addressing a specific group in a specific context — likely believers who are drifting from faith under pressure. Some scholars see the passage as a warning about those who had a genuine experience with God but then renounced the faith; others suggest it warns about those who only appeared to belong. Either way, the pastoral aim is clear: the community must warn against drifting and encourage repentance. Hebrews frequently pairs warning with encouragement (see Hebrews 3:12–14). If you’re concerned about falling away, the way forward is repentance, engagement in community, and returning to Christ.

Q3: How can I be sure I’m truly saved if passages warn about falling away? Answer: Assurance comes from looking to Jesus and the promises He makes, rather than your fluctuating feelings. Scriptures like Ephesians 1:13-14 speak of the Spirit as a seal and guarantee. Also, examine the fruit of your life: love for God and others, ongoing repentance, and desire to grow are signs of genuine faith (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). If doubts persist, bring them into community, confession, and prayer; God meets sincere seekers with grace and clarity.

See also:  How to Know You Are Truly Saved

🙏 9. Conclusion & Reflection

You’ve walked through two powerful biblical voices: Jesus’ promise of a secure life and Hebrews’ stern warning about apostasy. They aren’t enemies — they balance one another. Jesus assures you so you can live free from fear; Hebrews warns you so you’ll take faith seriously. You can rest in Christ’s protection while also living the disciplined, repentant life he calls you to.

A short prayer you can use: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me eternal life and for holding me in your hand. Help me to live in a way that reflects your love, to turn quickly when I sin, and to draw strength from Your Word and community. Keep me, teach me, and use my life for your glory. Amen.

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