TheologyThoughts

On another list, one of the posters claimed that he could list multiple Scriptures proving that Christians can "lose their salvation." I have often found that when such individuals actually make the attempt, a reasoned exegetical approach, examining the passage in context (and in the light of the whole teaching of Scripture), nearly always solves the difficulty, unless one has a strong theological bias already invested.

Paul knew he could lose salvation:

1 Corinthians 9:27 - But I discipline my body and bring it into
subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become
disqualified. ~ Note: Paul was talking about being disqualified to receive
the prize of the imperishable crown (received in eternal life) as the 2
previous verses in the Bible explain. Instead of disqualified in the NKJV,
the KJV has castaway. It also means reprobate, rejected, not standing the
test, not approved, that which does not prove itself such as it ought.
Other times the word (the Greek word adokimos) is used in the NT, it's
talking about the lost (2 Cor. 13:5-7 , 2 Tim. 3:8 , Titus 1:16). So since
Paul was aware of the danger of not being approved and becoming lost, we
also should be careful. Paul was being careful by when he disciplined
himself and brought his body into subjection. That means he made himself
to be a slave subject to stern and rigid discipline.

Really? First the text:

1Co 9:25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to
receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1Co 9:26 So I do not
run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 1Co 9:27 But I
discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others
I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)

Now, especially read the entire chapter. The passage has nothing to do with
winning or gaining eternal life -- it's all about Paul's ministry, and his
responsibility in preaching the Gospel as an apostle. The reference is not
to Paul's salvation in the personal sense, but the reward he receives as a
result of faithfully discharging his appointed task as an apostle. He is
therefore qualified or disqualified for that particular reward, but we are
not talking about his personal salvation. Nor are we talking about personal
morality, but of the kind of discipline necessary to obtain the goal of
Paul's apostolic ministry (hence the athletics metaphor).

So, what you have done is taken the passage out of its context, and
misapplied it.