You have probably heard people say, “I used to be a Christian.” They speak as though being a follower of Christ is something that can be undone. It’s a phrase that raises questions. It also offers an opportunity to clarify an important truth. When someone is genuinely transformed by the Holy Spirit, that transformation is permanent.
There’s no such thing as a “former Christian.” If you have truly been saved by Jesus and the Holy Spirit has entered your heart, there is no going back. It’s not just an emotional decision or a fleeting commitment. It’s a lifelong journey of transformation that begins the moment we accept Christ. This journey continues throughout our lives.
Jesus Himself assures us of this in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
This passage speaks to the security we have in Christ. Once you’re in His hands, you belong to Him forever. It’s not something that depends on our strength or ability to stay faithful—it’s grounded in Christ’s power to keep us.
It’s easy to get confused when we see people who once appeared committed to the faith suddenly drift away or declare they are no longer Christians. Does this mean salvation can be lost? Not at all. 1 John 2:19 explains it clearly: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”
True salvation bears lasting fruit. While some may have experiences with the church or outward signs of faith, those who truly know Christ remain rooted in Him, even through difficult seasons.
One of the most powerful assurances we have as believers comes from Ephesians 4:30:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts is not temporary. When we are saved, we are sealed for eternity. This means that the transformation that takes place when we give our lives to Christ is something no one—not even ourselves—can undo.
Of course, the Christian walk is not without challenges. There will be times of doubt, struggle, and even moments where we may feel distant from God. But instead of these moments pushing us away from our faith, they often become opportunities for God to draw us closer to Him. Through trials and hardships, we grow, learn, and depend on Christ even more.
As Romans 8:38-39 beautifully reminds us: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There is no undoing the work of salvation once it has taken root in your heart. If you’ve been saved by Jesus, you are His forever. Let’s be encouraged by the truth that our salvation is secure in Christ, and no matter what, the Holy Spirit continues to work in us to bring us closer to the likeness of Christ.
Minimizing me...making much of Jesus 