I visited a store this week and thought twice about my purchase when I reached the checkout register. A sign on the register read, "All sales final. Absolutely no returns." What? I may freely purchase items, but later I can't change my mind? I don't like that.

Many Christians believe this concept describes the way God offers us salvation. They think we can freely accept God's salvation offer. However, once we accept that gift, salvation becomes irrevocable. We cannot change our minds.

Wesleyans believe God lets us choose to follow Christ, rather than making that decision for us. He then allows us to use free will throughout life to either affirm that choice or reject it if we wish. Why do we believe this way?

The Bible abounds with references, warnings, and examples of genuine believers who turned away. Consider the following Bible references. Hebrews 3:12-14, written to believers, warns against an "unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." The passage further warns against being "hardened by sin's deceitfulness" and exhorts believers to "hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."

In like manner, Hebrews 6:11-12 encourages believers to be diligent "to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." It urges against becoming lazy and highlights saints who exercised the virtues of faith and patience until they received their inheritance. Hebrews 10:38 restates the essential biblical principle of pleasing God through faith.

It further gives the flip side of that principle—if we renounce faith, we will not please Him. All three references imply an option to reject Christ. Some people might say any believer who rejects Christ never truly believed. However, these passages do not question the original authenticity of the faith of those who turned away.The Bible warns us against both unconsciously drifting away and consciously choosing to reject Christ. Warnings against drifting, such as Hebrews 2:1, remind us of this possibility. How do we drift?

Just as husbands and wives or parents and children neglect their relationships and grow apart, so Christians can shift priorities away from putting God first in every area of life.

The danger is subtle but real. Hebrews speaks of consciously rejecting Christ in 6:4-6 and 10:26-27. Some people have interpreted these passages to mean a believer can no longer be forgiven for sins after accepting Christ. If this interpretation is true, then we have only one time of repentance in life. The balance of Scripture does not support this interpretation. I believe these passages mean such sins can't be forgiven as long as a person maintains an attitude or mindset that rejects Christ.

The Bible offers examples of people who trusted God for their salvation, fellowshiped with Him, followed His will, and then rejected Him later in life. God unquestionably blessed Saul, Israel's first king. In the end, God rejected Him as king because he turned away from God and disobeyed Him (1 Samuel 15:11).

Jesus invited Judas to serve in an honored position as one of His 12 apostles. Jesus probably selected him on the basis of his talent, ability, and potential. Yet, in the end, Judas rejected Jesus. We believe Paul's brief reference to Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:19-20 suggests that they were believers who rejected Christ. Their blaspheming shipwrecked their faith. Saul, Judas, Hymenaeus, and Alexander all exemplify people who followed God but renounced their commitment to Him.

This discussion often surfaces in the form of the question: "Can I lose my salvation?" If you mean "lose" the way you lose a favorite ink pen, I'd answer, "Not likely."

The Holy Spirit will faithfully warn you of drifting that compromises your relationship with the Father or of sinful acts that displease Him.

He wants us to enjoy eternal life with Him more than we want it for ourselves. If we inadvertently fall short in some way or make a mistake, He won't reclaim His salvation in the night like the Tooth Fairy taking Billy's tooth.

However, if you mean "lose" through rejection, living in willful disobedience to God's known will, or breaking fellowship with Him, I'd answer, "Absolutely." God respects our free will too much to force His plan of salvation upon us. He invites us to receive this awesome gift by forgiving us of our past sins. Then He enters into relationship with us. Forgiveness and relationship characterize two necessary features of salvation.

God can save us only if we maintain relationship with Him. Trusting Christ for salvation involves a seeking heart and faithfulness to that relationship. Vital union with Christ protects us against losing our salvation for any reason.

Frank Moore is director for the Center for Faith and Culture Studies at Olivet Nazarene University.

Editor's Note: This article highlights the words and concepts which differentiate between a Wesleyan and a Calvinist interpretation of eternal security. Wesleyans acknowledge the human capacity of choice, making possible unbroken fellowship with God and the faith that holds firm to the end.

Holiness Today, July/August 2005

Please note: This article was originally published in 2005. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.