Is a backsliding Christian still saved?

The question of whether a backsliding Christian is still saved is an important one for many believers. To backslide means to slide back into old sinful habits and ways of life after professing faith in Christ and experiencing spiritual growth. Essentially, it is reverting to a former spiritual state. This raises concerns over whether someone is truly saved if they turn away from God after proclaiming Christ as Savior.

There are different viewpoints among Christians on this issue. Some believe that if someone backslides to the point of completely renouncing Christ, they were likely never saved in the first place. Others argue that a genuine believer will persevere in faith and not backslide to that extreme. There are also those who say that backsliders are in danger of losing their salvation if they do not repent. So what does the Bible say about this? Are backsliders still saved?

Evidence That Backsliders Are Still Saved

There is scriptural support for the position that backsliders are still saved even if they stray from God. Here are some reasons why:

• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works – Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that salvation is “not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.” Our salvation does not depend on our own effort or obedience but rather on what Christ accomplished for us.
• God’s love is unchanging – Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). His gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). If He has saved us, He will not abandon us when we stumble.
• Nothing can separate us from God’s love – Romans 8:38-39 declares that nothing in all creation, including our own wanderings, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
• We are sealed by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14 and 4:30 state that believers are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. This seal remains on backsliders.
• Salvation depends on Christ’s work, not ours – Titus 3:5 says God saved us according to His mercy by the washing and renewal of baptism, not by works of righteousness. Our salvation rests on Christ’s finished work.
• God disciplines those He loves – Hebrews 12:6 teaches that the Lord disciplines those He loves. The fact that God brings conviction and consequences on backsliders shows they are still His children, though wandering.
• Examples like the Prodigal Son – In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the wayward son was still the father’s son even when far from home. The father waited expectantly for his return.
• Christ intercedes for us – Hebrews 7:25 shares that Jesus is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to intercede for us. Jesus prays for backsliding believers.
• Nothing can snatch us from God’s hand – Jesus said no one can snatch His sheep from His hand or the Father’s hand in John 10:28-29. Once saved, we are securely held by God.

So the consistent message is that salvation depends completely on God’s grace rather than our own righteousness. While backsliding into sin has consequences, it does not mean someone loses their salvation if they have truly trusted in Christ. God remains committed to them.

Warnings That Backsliders May Not Be Saved

While there are arguments for backsliders still being saved, there are also some scriptural warnings that raise doubts. Here are some reasons why backsliding could be an indication someone is not truly saved:

• Not abiding in Christ means no fruit – John 15:6 warns that those who do not abide in Christ are thrown away, withered, and burned up like branches that bear no fruit. Lack of spiritual fruit may reveal lack of saving faith.
• Failing to persevere to the end – Matthew 10:22 and 24:13 warn that only those who endure to the end will be saved. Persevering is said to be necessary evidence of real faith.
• Denying Christ brings condemnation – 2 Timothy 2:12 warns that if we deny Christ, He will deny us. Those who turn away completely reject Christ and cannot expect to be received by Him.
• Willful sinning after knowing the truth – Hebrews 10:26 says if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains. Deliberately rebelling is dangerous.
• Sowing to flesh reaps destruction – Galatians 6:8 declares that the one who sows to the flesh from the flesh will reap destruction. Continual fleshly living may reflect spiritual death.
• By their fruit you’ll know them – Matthew 7:15-23 warns that good trees produce good fruit and bad trees bad fruit. The kind of life someone lives gives evidence for or against their salvation.
• Faith without works is dead – James 2:14-26 teaches that faith without works is useless. Someone may profess faith but lack spiritual fruit that should accompany salvation.
• Overcome by the world means not knowing God – 1 John 2:15 says if we love the world, we do not have the Father’s love in us. Turning back to sin shows disregard for God.
• Being entangled again brings destruction – 2 Peter 2:20 says if after escaping sin someone is entangled again, their state is worse than the beginning. Their heart was likely unchanged.

So passages like these indicate that if someone completely turns away after professing faith, the authenticity of their conversion is questionable. While good works don’t earn salvation, they give evidence of real spiritual rebirth.

How to Discern if a Backslider is Saved

In light of these two viewpoints, how can we evaluate an individual case of backsliding? How do we know if the person is saved or not? Here are some factors to consider:

• Extent of rebellion: Is it a season of struggle or have they completely renounced Christ? Have they fallen back into entrenched sinful patterns or occasional failings?
• Response to sin: Are they convicted and repentant like the Prodigal Son or oblivious and unconcerned?
• Pattern of life: Is there still evidence of spiritual fruit like seasons of obedience and growth? Do they still seek the Lord in any way?
• Desire for God: Is there any longing for restoration and right relationship with God?
• Resolve to return: Is there openness to godly counsel and accountability or hardness of heart?
• Nature of their profession: Did their previous faith commitment seem authentic and changed?
• God’s discipline: Is He actively disciplining them like a wayward child?
• Length of time: How long have they backslidden? Have years gone by?

While only God fully knows someone’s heart, these factors can give insight into the general trajectory of their soul. Occasional stumbles are vastly different than determined rebellion. It seems the “seeds” of salvation may lie dormant for a season in some backsliders before returning to life with the Spirit’s prompting.

How the Church Should Respond to Backsliders

How then should the church respond to those who have backslidden? Here are some principles for ministry both to prevent and restore from backsliding:

• Patiently instruct in sound doctrine – Grounding new believers in biblical truth helps them detect and reject deception (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
• Wisely confront in sin – Speaking the truth in love helps wayward believers repent and return to Christ (Galatians 6:1).
• Faithfully discipline when needed – Removing unrepentant sinners from fellowship protects the church’s witness and jolts them to repentance (1 Corinthians 5:4-5).
• Hopefully pray for restoration – As Christ intercedes for His own, so should we, crying out for prodigals to come home (Luke 15:20).
• Joyfully celebrate when they repent – Like the father of the prodigal, run to meet them and restore fellowship when their hearts turn back to God (Luke 15:11-24).
• Sternly warn against self-deception – The most dangerous spiritual state is being deceived that all is well when headed for destruction (Hebrews 3:12-14).
• Carefully examine profession – If baptizing new believers, ensure their commitment seems genuine before affirming their profession (Acts 8:12-23).
• Confidently trust God’s grace – For those who repent, rest in God’s power to preserve those called to salvation (Jude 1:24, 1 Peter 1:5).

The book of Hebrews gives an excellent picture of this balance between warning and assurance. With wisdom and discernment, the church can call backsliders to return while also trusting God to keep His own and complete the work He began. The Lord knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19).

Hope and Warning for the Backslider

What word of encouragement and caution can be given to someone currently backslidden? Consider the following:

• Do not despair but repent – God’s mercies are new every morning for those who turn back to Him (Lamentations 3:22-23).
• Humble yourself under God’s hand – Yield to His loving discipline to be restored (James 4:6-10).
• Recall where you have fallen – Think upon the joy of your first love for Christ and repent (Revelation 2:4-5).
• Reaffirm your faith – If saved before, believe again and rededicate your life to Christ (Luke 22:32).
• Remove any idols – Make no provisions for the flesh but pursue radical obedience to Christ (Romans 13:14).
• Take sin seriously – Persistent willful sin reveals spiritual blindness to be earnestly sought to be removed (1 John 1:5-10).
• Strive to make your calling sure – God promises abundant welcome for returning prodigals who come home and stay (2 Peter 1:5-11).
• Beware false assurance – Presumption leads many to Hell. Examine your faith for authentic fruit (Matthew 7:21-23).
• Pray for repentant tears – Ask God to soften and break your heart over your sin to be restored (Jeremiah 31:18-20).

By God’s grace let these motivations stir you to forsake sinful paths and return to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (1 Peter 2:25). He waits ready to forgive and heal all who draw near to Him (James 4:8).

Conclusion

In closing, the question of whether a backsliding Christian remains saved is disputed among believers. There are scriptural cases to be made both for and against assurance for those who turn away from Christ after professing faith. Much depends on how drastically the person has rebelled and rejected truth.

A season of backsliding does not necessarily mean someone has lost salvation. But determined forsaking of Christ and His people may reveal false profession. Yet even these cases hold out hope if genuine repentance follows. The church must call the backslider to return through counsel yet trust God to keep His own. With humility and perseverance the backslider can be restored to the joy of their salvation.