Can Christians lose their faith? It’s a question that has haunted many believers, stirring up doubt and anxiety (Hebrews 3:12). Perhaps you’ve watched a once-devout friend slowly drift from their faith, leaving you to wonder. So what does the Bible say?
Join me as I explore the Scriptures. I aim to uncover the true nature of saving faith. I will also show the difference between genuine and superficial faith. Lastly, I will discuss how to find assurance in Christ amid the struggles of the Christian life.
Defining Our Terms: What Is a Christian?
Before we can meaningfully explore whether Christians lose faith, we must first clarify what we mean by the term “Christian.” The Bible makes clear that a Christian is someone who:
- Takes the name of Christ (Acts 11:26)
- Is a disciple or follower of Jesus (Matthew 4:19, Luke 9:23, Matthew 28:19)
- Has repented of sin and acknowledged their need for a Savior (Acts 2:38)
- Has put their confidence, faith, or trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- This confidence in Christ is not a momentary decision but a lifelong commitment (Luke 9:23, Colossians 1:23).
With this definition in mind, we can begin to explore the question of losing faith as a Christian.
The Permanence of Genuine Faith
When considering “Can Christians lose their faith?” we must first acknowledge a truth. A genuine Christian who has repented and trusted in Christ cannot, by definition, have a point in their life where faith ceases entirely (John 10:28-29).
Think of it this way: if faith were to cease in the life of someone who claims to know Christ, they would no longer know Christ (John 15:6). The very essence of being a Christian is rooted in ongoing faith and trust in Jesus (Colossians 2:6-7). So, the straightforward answer to our question is no. Christians do not lose faith in the sense of completely abandoning their belief in Christ.
The Visible and Invisible Church
It’s crucial to remember that not everyone who attends church or identifies as a Christian possesses genuine, saving faith (Matthew 7:21-23). The Bible acknowledges this. Theologians distinguish between the “visible church” and the “invisible church” (Romans 9:6). The “visible church” is the local gatherings we can see. The “invisible church” is all genuine believers, known only to God. Scripture teaches that God permits unbelievers to stay in the church for a time. But He has given us signs to help discern true from false faith (Matthew 7:16-20).
This reality raises an important question. Can people in the church – those who consider themselves real, genuine Christians – never truly know Christ in a saving way? The answer, sobering as it may be, is absolutely yes.
The presence of deceived unbelievers in the church can be disheartening (2 Timothy 4:10). But we can trust that God will make those distinctions clear. Our role is to faithfully proclaim the gospel, trusting God’s Word to produce genuine repentance and saving faith that endures (Romans 10:14-17).
The Parable of the Sower: Understanding Different Responses to the Gospel
In Matthew 13:4-8, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower. It shows the different ways people respond to the gospel. This parable illustrates four different scenarios:
As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it. Still other seed fell on good ground and produced fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown.
- The Path: Some hear the gospel, but it never penetrates their hearts.
- Rocky Ground: Others initially respond with joy, but their faith doesn’t take root and withers when faced with challenges.
- Thorny Ground: Some appear to begin in faith, but worldly concerns and trials choke it out.
- Good Soil: Those with genuine faith take root, grow, and produce abundant fruit.
Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13:4-8) warns us that not everyone who initially responds positively to the gospel will persevere in faith. It vividly illustrates that only those who receive the gospel in good soil—in a sincere heart—will bear lasting fruit. True faith in Christ is the essential foundation for a fruitful life (John 15:5).
Discerning True Faith
God has provided us with guidance to help discern the presence of unbelievers within the visible church. One key passage that sheds light on this matter is 1 John 2:18-19:
Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.
1 John 2:19 highlights a key trait of true Christians: faithfulness to God and His people. This scripture reveals a deep truth: those who permanently leave the church show they never belonged to Christ. True believers should be troubled by those who claim to know Christ but show little loyalty to His church.
Signs of Genuine Faith
Even during seasons of weak faith, true believers show some signs of faithfulness (James 2:18):
- A connection to God’s Word (John 8:31)
- Engagement in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Colossians 4:2)
- Gathering with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The consistent absence of these elements in a professing Christian’s life over an extended period may be a cause for concern (James 2:26). However, it’s important to remember that, in such times, genuine believers will experience the Holy Spirit’s conviction (John 16:8). He will lead them to repent and renew their commitment to bear fruit in keeping with their faith (Matthew 3:8).
In contrast, a pattern of faithfulness in these basic practices—gathering with the church, sitting under Biblical preaching, and pursuing communion with God—indicates the Spirit’s sanctifying work in a believer’s life. These practices help to ground our assurance in the gospel promises (2 Peter 1:10). If a Christian shows no hunger for these means of grace over time, it may reveal that their “faith” is merely an empty profession, not a saving reality.
The Ebb and Flow of Faith
While we’ve established that true Christians don’t lose their faith, a more nuanced question arises: Does their faith ebb and flow? In other words, are there times when a believer’s faith may seem stronger than at other times?
The answer to this question is yes. Christians can and often do experience varying faith levels (Luke 17:5). However, it’s vital to note that while faith may wane, it never fully dies in a true believer.
The Tension of Belief and Unbelief
Even for genuine believers, there can be a tension between faith and doubt. This struggle is beautifully illustrated in Mark 9:24, where a father seeking healing for his son cries out to Jesus:
I do believe; help my unbelief!
This honest confession resonates with many Christians. They trust Jesus but struggle to believe in some situations. It’s important to note that Jesus doesn’t despise this honesty. Instead, He meets us in our weakness and helps us grow in faith.
The Goal: Maturing Faith Anchored in the Gospel
Ultimately, the Christian life is about growing in glad confidence in the goodness and promises of God. The gospel invites us to rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness alone to save and keep us (Romans 3:22-24, Romans 8:31-39). We must fight the lie that our actions or emotions, rather than Jesus’ finished work, are the grounds for our acceptance before God.
While feelings of fervor may fluctuate, saving faith perseveres by continuing to look to Christ. Maturity is not about achieving a perfectly unwavering assurance or spiritual high. It’s about learning to preach the gospel to ourselves in every trial and season. It’s coming to Jesus in the “full disclosure”—acknowledging both the areas where we trust Him and the doubts we need His help to overcome.
None of this happens by our willpower (John 6:44, Philippians 2:13). The God who called us is the One who preserves and empowers the faith He gives (1 Peter 1:5). He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, faithfully leading us Home (Hebrews 12:2).
Practical Applications for Growing in Faith
So what does this mean practically? How should we think about our own spiritual state or those in our churches? A few key takeaways:
- Examine yourself. 2 Corinthians 13:5 instructs us to regularly examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Look for the fruit of the Spirit and hunger for God’s Word and people (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 2:2). When you see areas of weakness or inconsistency, take those honestly to Jesus, trusting Him to complete His sanctifying work in you.
- Encourage others. Be quick to encourage and point fellow believers to the gospel when their faith feels weak (Hebrews 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Pray for them, come alongside them, and remind them that Christ’s hold on them is greater than their hold on Him.
- Emphasize the gospel. Faithfully proclaim the gospel in your churches, trusting it to produce lasting, saving faith (Romans 10:14-17). Continually ground your church in the sufficiency and finished work of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2).
- Trust God’s wisdom. Trust what God has revealed about an unrepentant departure from the gospel and the church (Proverbs 3:5-6). Pray for those individuals to experience true repentance and faith (2 Timothy 2:25).
- Enjoy the means of grace. Lean into spiritual disciplines as a means to enjoy fellowship with God (Acts 2:42, Philippians 2:12-13). Gather with your church, dig into the Word, and raise your voice with gratitude for His preserving grace (Colossians 3:16).
Conclusion: The Enduring Nature of True Faith
In conclusion, a Christian’s faith may fluctuate over their life. But genuine saving faith endures by its nature. True believers may experience seasons of doubt or struggle, but their fundamental trust in Christ remains intact.
Christians must know there may be false converts in the church. They should also examine their own hearts. Remember, it’s not the strength of our faith that saves us, but the object of our faith – Jesus Christ. Even when our faith feels weak, we can trust in His unwavering love and grace to sustain us through every season of life (2 Timothy 2:13).
As we navigate the ebbs and flows of faith, let us hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and lean on the support of fellow believers (Hebrews 10:23-25). In doing so, we can grow in confidence and maturity, allowing our faith to bear abundant fruit for the glory of God (Colossians 1:10).
May we find great hope in the promise that the One who began a good work in us will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Not because of our great faithfulness, but because of His. He alone is able to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless before His presence with great joy (Jude 24).
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