Furthermore, if I can lose eternal life, then surely I never had eternal life because what I got in the first place was NOT eternal. It was false advertising.
For those who quote the scripture Hebrews 6:4 that says it is impossible for those who have tasted of the heavenly gift who leave to be restored in the context of truly SAVED Christians, go ahead and dismiss the next altar call you want to have for repentant backslidden once-saved people returning because technically, it is impossible for them to be restored no matter what they do. While doing that, remember to reject any offering they brought and tell them Jesus only gives one chance to stay saved when you get saved; oh yeah, that you've also been perfect since YOU got saved.
To the teacher who quotes Revelation 3:11 in the context of losing salvation, please reconsider your exegesis because a loss of "crowns" do not constitute loss of citizenship. A loss of inheritance may occur, but it does not necessarily stipulate a loss of habitation.
There are many citizens alive in a country. Some are paupers and some are millionaires. Some have lesser glory and some more. Their birth citizenship is irrevocable but their status in the country depend on their own work. They did nothing to deserve their citizenship and it is the one who birthed them here who deserves all the glory for their citizenship; nevertheless, their crowns or acquisitions thereafter are contingent on their own responsible behavior.
If Jesus Christ did not complete the work of paying for all sin...past, present and future, then his sacrifice was inadequate, and He cannot get all the glory. After I have added my own work to His unfinished work, then I should ascend to heaven, push him aside, and boast of my great ability to earn my way to heaven with only a little of his help.
Let us not make the grace of God of nought by teaching the false doctrine of salvation BY WORKS. Neither its acquisition, nor its maintenance.
Let us also, however, not make the grace of God cheap by teaching people falsely that they should continue in sin that grace may abound. God forbid! In the very words of Paul.
Let us, ultimately, teach what the word says:
Ephesians 2:8, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-11 so people can come to Jesus without fear and be FREELY saved; then have the understanding of eternal security.
And then teach them 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, and Romans 14:10-12 comprehending that these scriptures all referred to Christians.
When doctrine is taught incorrectly, it breeds temporary "followers" who do anything and everything in ignorance trying to pay their way and bribe God. They lack understanding, have no lasting joy and often fall away becoming the dragnets pulling many with them as Christendom's greatest antagonists. They don't trust the incompetent Jesus presented to them who is not able to save them to the uttermost. They have no freedom and their chains were never broken; only replaced as leashes to religious constructs tying them to wolves ready to devour the flock and all the resources they bring.
When doctrine is taught correctly, however, it leads men to Christ uninhibitedly to be adopted as SONS, drives them to share what is now truly good news to them with others of their loving Father, and inspires them to work to earn REWARDS in Christ's kingdom without fear of losing their paid-by-Christ salvation citizenship. They love and glorify Jesus truly as the only capable savior who delivered them from their permanent inadequacies. And they would give their lives here on earth gladly to go be with Him forever because they are sure of their destination by His grace.
They do not enjoy sin or continue sinning willingly because their understanding of Christ's true sacrifice will never allow them to intentionally choose to offend him. They crucify their flesh daily and their assurance of salvation propels them to obedience not a lackadaisical attitude.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. -1 John 5:13
(KNOW... not guess)
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins ofthe whole world - 1 John 2:1-2
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. -Hebrews 7:25