Once saved always saved vs. losing your salvation...

I'm a Christian who doesn't believe that salvation refers to being "saved" from hell, but instead refers to a state of being here and now in our lives. I think that in our life our state of being can fluctuate, depending on how thoroughly we apply the teachings of Christ (or the other teachers who gave the same message). "Hell," IMO refers to that state of being as well - it is something we inflict upon ourselves and others in *this* life.

If discussing "salvation" in terms of where one will end up after death, I believe we *all* return to God - I don't believe anything can remove us from God's love or care. So you could technically say I don't believe anyone can "lose" their "salvation," but I don't quite see it the same way, if you get what I mean.

How does one go about "losing" their salvation?

I believe there is only one thing that can cause you to lose your salvation, and that's apostasy.

Can you keep this open a little while? I don't the time now as I'm running off to work. This requires more thought and time to write. Not a simple question or answer.

Yes, salvation is a gift. You can give the gift back. There is a term, it's realized eschatolgy and that describes your present salvation. The bible also talks about future and ongoing salvation as described in mk 9:43.

A delicate balance. Nobody knows until they kick the bucket.

I'm Southern Baptist - we believe in once saved, always saved. Not that it gives you a "free pass" to go do whatever you want, if you are truly saved then you want to be following Christ. If you are a Christian, you will bear "fruit" as evidence of your salvation.

I'm going to copy and paste because this guy says it best.  Once saved always saved is not biblical. http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/apologetics/two_minute#23 

Absolutely not. In fact, the Bible is full of passages that either directly or indirectly contradict this doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved.” For example:

 

 

Rom 11:17-23, “But if some of the branches were broken off [the Jews], and you, a wild olive shoot [the Gentiles], were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree [Jesus Christ], do not boast over the branches...For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you...Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.”

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Paul is talking about how salvation has come to the Gentiles, while many of the Jews have rejected it. And he makes it very clear that once you have been grafted into Christ, you must “continue in His kindness,” or you can also be cut off. So, even after you’ve been saved, you can still be cut off from Jesus Christ.

This is further seen in Galatians, chapter 5. Verse 1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery [sin].” If once saved always saved is true, then one cannot “submit again” to a “yoke of slavery,” and Paul’s warning makes no sense.