Can eternal life be forfeited?

Welcome to Midway Church of Christ

What’s Your Question? for Dec. 8, 2010

Since those who believe in Christ “should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn.3:15), some conclude that once a person is in Christ, he cannot fall away and be lost. John also wrote, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn. 5:12). He also said, “IF what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father” (2:24). Jesus said “Every branch IN ME that does not bear fruit, He takes away…If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and…they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (Jn. 15:1-6). The branch had been in Christ, but is cut off and burned. The fire does not represent heaven!