Do those who leave the church lose their faith, or did they never truly have it?
1️⃣ Summary
Scripture teaches that true salvation cannot be lost,
because it is secured by God, not sustained by man.
However, not everyone who professes faith truly possesses it.
Salvation is not proved by a decision but by a transformed life,
and genuine faith endures by God’s preserving grace.
2️⃣ Context
Many believers wrestle with fear:
“If I sin or fall away, will I lose my salvation?”
But the Bible defines salvation not as a human choice,
but as a sovereign act of God’s grace that He both begins and completes.
3️⃣ Biblical Principles
📖 John 10:28–29 (ESV)
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish,
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
→ Salvation is not held by our grip but secured by God’s hand.
📖 Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)
“Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
→ No external power or failure can sever salvation.
📖 Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.”
→ The One who saves is the One who sustains.
📖 Hebrews 3:14 (ESV)
“We share in Christ if we hold our confidence firm to the end.”
→ Endurance is evidence of salvation, not its condition.
4️⃣ Theological Insights
📜 John MacArthur
“The perseverance of the saints depends not on human will,
but on divine preservation.”
📜 R.C. Sproul
“A true believer may stumble deeply,
but never falls away completely — God’s grace holds him.”
📜 John Piper
“Faith endures because God’s faithfulness empowers it.”
📜 Jonathan Edwards
“The truly converted may falter,
but God restores them and finishes His work.”
📜 Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch.17
“The saints persevere in faith through the power of God,
though they may fall into sin for a time.”
5️⃣ True Faith vs. Nominal Faith
| Category | True Faith | Nominal Faith |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | God’s grace and election | Human decision or emotion |
| Duration | Perseveres to the end | Fades with hardship |
| Fruit | Repentance and holiness | Religious routine |
| Focus | God-centred | Self-centred |
| Outcome | Eternal life | Temporary belief |
6️⃣ Practical Application
1️⃣ Rest in Assurance, Not Fear
→ Salvation is God’s work, not yours.
His grip is stronger than your failure.
2️⃣ Examine Spiritual Fruit
→ The question is not “Was I saved once?”
but “Is God still shaping me now?”
3️⃣ Return When You Fall
→ True faith is not perfection,
but direction — returning to God after failure.
4️⃣ Stay Rooted in Community
→ Perseverance is sustained by God through His people.
Faith grows stronger together, not in isolation.
7️⃣ Conclusion
Salvation does not begin with human resolve,
so it cannot end with human weakness.
The same God who saves also sustains and completes.
“Enduring faith is the evidence of God’s enduring grace.”
Faith. Work. Renewal. — Revito
8️⃣ Hashtags
#PerseveranceOfTheSaints #TrueFaith #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #JonathanEdwards #WestminsterConfession #EternalSecurity #Revito
