Question:

Can I lose my way to heaven?

Answer:
Obviously, Paul thought that it was possible. Not that I have already attained, or am already
perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of
me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward
the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14). In other
letter, Paul wrote, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable
crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But
I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself
should become disqualified (I Corinthians 9:24-27). Paul understood that if he did not give God
is all, it was possible to be disqualified from inheriting eternal life.
Paul not only had concerns about retaining his own salvation, he also told us about those who
had lost their right to eternal life. Paul told Timothy that having faith and a good conscience,
which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are
Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme (I
Timothy 1:19-20). Hymenaeus and Alexander were sailing the seas of faith, but they suffered a
shipwreck they had lost their faith. Peter warned that false prophets would arise from among
the people of God in II Peter 2. He did not say they would enter from the outside, but that they
would come from within the family of God. In II Peter 2:15, Peter states, They have forsaken
the right way and gone astray. You cannot forsake a path that on which you were never walked.
Concerning these people and those they lead astray Peter warns, For if, after they have escaped
the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are
again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For
it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having
known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them (II Peter 2:20-21).
Often people will say about a fallen brother, Well, he never was really saved in the first place.
Yet, it is clear that a person can know the way of righteousness and escape the pollutions of the
world and then become entangled in the world of sin once again. This is why Christians must
never let their guard down. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). If a Christian could not become
lost, there would be no danger from Satan. But while we remain in this world, we must always
strive to serve our Lord. We must not become complacent nor arrogant. Therefore let him who
thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (I Corinthians 10:12).