To Save or Not to Save

So, I have been thinking about a question for a few days now. Last week at our bible study, we talked about what views of our may not line up with God's views. We were challenged to list those views, then find Scripture that explained God's views on the various topics. One of my friends in the group, Annie, said she was going to look up what God says about salvation. She wanted to know- "once saved, always saved?" I have not been able to get the topic out of my mind.

I guess I should first start off by giving my definition of salvation. I believe that it is a gift from God. Key word -GIFT- not something that we can earn. I believe that God gave His son, Jesus Christ, so that we might have salvation. I believe that salvation is offered to each and every one of us, but it is our choice as to whether or not we will accept God's gift. I believe that the only way to heaven is by receiving this gift of salvation, which is done by confessing that we are sinners, asking God for forgiveness of our sins, and declaring that Jesus is our savior (in a nutshell). I do not believe that we can get to heaven based on good works or deeds. In my opinion, because the Bible states, the only way to heaven is through Jesus. If there was another way, why would Christ have had to die on the cross?

Ok, so back to the original question- "Can your salvation be lost or taken away?"
I am going to try very hard to keep this post from rambling, but bear with me here...

Let me just start off by saying that I do not believe that your salvation can be lost. I believe that once saved, always saved. Let me also say that I have not researched every piece of Scripture that may touch upon this subject. I just wanted to open the subject up to debate.

I have to believe that salvation cannot be lost. Otherwise, how could I truly be secure in my own salvation? I can remember the exact day that I received Christ. I was sitting with my friends Beth and Amber. We were just talking about God and Christ and all that.... I had no intentions of receiving Christ that night, but the more these two friends talked, I was led to accepting Jesus as my savior. I am so thankful they took the time to answer my questions, because that night changed my life and my eternity.

If salvation could be lost, what is the deal breaker? I mean, are there certain sins that loses your salvation? Do you have to turn your back on God for "X" amount of times? What if I live a life for God, but after extreme trauma or crisis, I lash out at God, yell at Him, tell Him I can't have anything to do with a God who would allow me to go through such pain and die in an accident almost immediately afterwards? (extreme situation, I know, but what if?) Would God know my heart and that I was saying things out of anger or would He take that outburst literally and my eternity would be doomed?

I believe that sin is sin. I think some people disagree with this. I have talked to a few people who believe in a sort of "heirarchy of sin". Murder is worse than lying, adultery is worse than idoltry, stealing is worse than jealousy.. that type of thing. In my mind, sin is sin. I believe that we all are sinners, we will always be sinners. None of us are going to live a sinless life- period. Because I believe that all sin is equal, I believe that a wife who cheats on her husband, but goes to God and asks forgiveness is going to heaven, just as much as the daughter who lies to her parents about what time she got home. Does that make sense?

Ok, I think I am almost officially at the point of rambling. But, if you have any opinion on this subject, leave me a post. Like I said, I have been thinking about this for about 4 days and I love to hear other's thoughts on it. If you have Scripture to back up your opinion, I'd love to know that too..... Even if you haven't thought about this before, just let me know your initial reaction.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts.....

Have a great day! :)