1. 2 Pierre 2:20–21 (NEG79)
  2. Applications

Christians cannot lose their salvation

2 Pierre 2:20–21 (NEG79)

20 En effet, si après s'être retirés des souillures du monde, par la connaissance du Seigneur et Sauveur Jésus-Christ, ils s'y engagent de nouveau et sont vaincus, leur dernière condition est pire que la première.

One question that very easily arises from 2 Peter 2:20–21 concerns whether or not Christians can lose their salvation. Is it possible for someone who belongs to Jesus Christ to fall from grace?

A detailed answer to this question can be found in chapter 5 of the Canons of Dort. It is worth reading that chapter in its entirety.

In brief: Peter has already mentioned that God protects and guards those who belong to him (2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 2:7), having given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3–4) so that we can persevere in faith to the very end, thereby making our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:5–11). God will keep his people. The fact that there are some who do not persevere does not cause us to doubt God’s power, but is a confirmation that those individuals were never truly part of God’s people (see 1 John 2:19). True believers who have been united to Christ through true faith will not commit apostasy.