If you’re a saved Christian, you cannot lose your salvation. Scripture is very clear that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ will be saved. On occasion, we read other Scripture that might indicate Christians can lose their salvation. However, what appears to be contradictory messages are not. They are confirmations that those who sincerely believe that Jesus is the Christ will be saved.

You might notice that I said, “saved Christian.” Years ago, I would have thought this was redundant. The sorrowful truth is many people identify as Christian, but they are not. Just like some people might identify with a sex different than the one they were born with. A man or woman can change their outward appearance to appear a different sex, but they cannot change the DNA that identifies them as a man or woman, and they certainly can’t change who they were created to be by God. Unlike people who yearn to be a different sex than the one they were born with, the self-professed unsaved Christian may do little or nothing to distinguish themselves from the world.

These are people who follow the way of the world and do not produce good fruit that accompanies salvation.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:2 (NIV)

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

John 15:6 (NIV)

There are two types of branches here. The first type of branch is the one that doesn’t produce any fruit. Jesus was talking about the Pharisees and those who had a semblance of belief. Today, this is the unsaved Christian and those who profess to follow God but do not. The unsaved Christian is like the religious rulers, the Pharisees and alike who were religious but didn’t believe Christ and followed their own ways, and they are cut off and thrown into the fire. The second type of branch is the saved Christian. The saved Christian is the person who believes in Christ, has faith in Him, and is made righteous and saved by faith and not works.

The more I teach saved Christians, the more I notice that we can be very judgmental of those around us. I’m not talking about the world as much as I’m talking about our views of other Christians. I’m certain this might appear hypocritical to you, given my own differentiation between “saved” and “unsaved” Christians. I’m using such differentiators because I know of no other terminology to get the point across.

I am not talking about people who faithfully go to church expecting God to do something in them and through them, but maybe you don’t see the fruit in their lives. I’m not talking about the people who read their Bible every day expecting God to do something in them, and through them and you don’t see the fruit in their lives. I am talking about the people who may never have gone to church yet say I’m a Christian. I am talking about all those people who profess to be a Christian, yet it’s only a name. There is no difference between the way they live their lives as a Believer and the way that other people live their lives as non-believers.

I think we should be very careful about looking at other people who say that they’re Christian and saying, “You’re not really a Christian.” Yes, the word tells us we should separate ourselves from those people who are false teachers and such. However, the word also tells us that if we see our brother commit a sin, that we are to rebuke them and try and correctly lead them. It also tells us to make sure that we have taken care of the sin in our lives before we go and try and correct somebody else.

Therefore, if someone says I’m a Christian but lives the way the world lives, and wants to try and teach you to do the same, then we need to separate ourselves from their teaching. I am, by no means, an expert in Christianity, and I know I make mistakes. I know there are all sorts of nuances of evil that want to lure the Believer into sin. If you identify such things, then you should turn away from them. However, the Holy Spirit leads you, follow.

Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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