Some churches now teach that once you receive salvation you can never lose it. This is often referred to as “once saved always saved”. This false belief leads many people away from the truth of the Gospel. Ultimately causing them to only believe they are saved. Of course, no one can ever take your salvation from you. However, it is possible for you to give it up by turning away from God and back to your old sinful ways. An interesting example of this in the Bible is the great city of Nineveh.
To get the full picture of how the city of Nineveh gained salvation and subsequently lost its salvation, we must read both Jonah and Nahum. By doing this we quickly are able to see that there are some striking similarities between the city of Nineveh and the average person who encounters God.
First of all, a man of God enters into their lives and brings them God’s word. Today we could use many different titles to describe Johan. Preacher, evangelist, missionary, or prophet just to name a few. All describe someone God uses to bring a message to a group of lost people. In this case and even in our own cases it’s a message of impending doom.
Jonah 3:2-4 (ESV)
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
The message of Jonah is not a message very different from the one we often are told today. Death and destruction are on the horizon because of the sinful lifestyle we have been living. However today, those bringing the Word to us offer repentance as a way to be saved. The people of Nineveh fell under such conviction so hard and fast that Jonah didn’t have to mention repentance. The people simply began to repent on their own.
Jonah 3:5-8 (ESV)
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.
When God saw the way the people reacted to hearing His word He felt compassion on them. He granted the city salvation and decided to not bring upon them the destruction they deserved.
Jonah 3:10 (ESV)
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
This sounds very similar to what we still experience today. God has compassion on us and even though we do not deserve it, by grace we are gifted eternal salvation.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV)
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
The book of Jonah ends on a high note as far as the city of Nineveh is concerned. But as you have already gathered the story of Nineveh is far from over. In fact, the worst is yet to come for the great city. The next time we read about the city is in the book of Nahum.
Nahum 1:1 (ESV)
1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.
The purpose of Nahum and the purpose of Jonah are pretty much the same. Yet, one big difference is found between the two. God sends a message of destruction again but the city is not given a chance to turn back this time. All because they effectively gave up they gift of salvation and returned to their wicked ways.
Nahum 3:19 (ESV)
19 There is no easing your hurt;
your wound is grievous.
All who hear the news about you
clap their hands over you.
For upon whom has not come
your unceasing evil?
We are subject to the same end as the city of Nineveh. Even if we turn to God and receive the free salvation He offers we are not guaranteed to keep that salvation forever. We can decide to turn away from God and back to the world. By doing this, you are effectively giving back the gift you were given from God. We can see this in the story of Nineveh. But we also can see this in other areas of the scripture.
Ezekiel 18:24 (ESV)
24 But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.
Romans 6:15-16 (ESV)
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
2 Timothy 2:4-5 (ESV)
4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
It is important that all Christians understand our salvation does not come without conditions. If we want to see heaven and to receive eternal life. We must continue to live out of the world. Following the ways of the Lord that are laid out in His word.
Please help us out by sharing this post with others. We want all people to be exposed to the truth of scripture. To do that we need the help of readers like you. Thank you in advance for your support. God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.