No, a believer cannot lose their salvation even if they commit a 'sin unto death.'
The 'sin unto death' refers to God taking a believer's physical life as discipline, not to eternal condemnation. Les Feldick teaches that such a believer's spirit is still saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, and the consequence is physical death, not loss of salvation. This is consistent with the principle that true believers are eternally secure, though they may suffer loss of rewards and physical life.
1 Corinthians 5:5 — This verse directly describes delivering a believer to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, indicating physical death rather than spiritual loss.
1 John 5:16 — Mentions the 'sin unto death' and indicates a distinction between sin that leads to death and other sins, but does not imply loss of salvation.
The Bible describes a 'sin unto death' in 1 John 5:16, which refers to a sin that results in physical death for a believer, not eternal damnation. In 1 Corinthians 5:5, Paul instructs the church to deliver a sinning believer to Satan 'for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.' This shows that while the physical body is judged, the spirit remains saved. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 11:30 mentions believers who are 'weak and sickly' and some who 'sleep' (have died) because of abusing the Lord's Supper, again indicating physical judgment, not loss of salvation.
Les Feldick emphatically teaches that a believer cannot lose their salvation, even if they commit a 'sin unto death.' He explains that when a believer continues in known, open sin, God may discipline them to the point of physical death, but their spirit is still saved. He points to 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Corinthians 11 to show that the 'destruction of the flesh' refers to physical death, not eternal loss. Les also stresses that if a person who professed faith later walks away into sin, it may indicate they were never truly saved, but genuine believers are secure. He encourages believers to avoid sin because of discipline and loss of reward, but he is clear that salvation is eternally secure.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that when a believer sins openly, God will discipline them. He says, 'Whom God loveth, he chasteneth' (Hebrews 12:6). He emphasizes that God does not chasten the unbeliever, but He will chasten the believer who starts dabbling in sin. If the chastening does not bring repentance, God may escalate to taking the believer's physical life. This discipline is for the believer's good and to protect Christ's reputation, but it does not entail loss of salvation.
Les Feldick explains that in 1 Corinthians 5:5, the 'destruction of the flesh' means God takes the believer's physical life, not their spirit. He points out that the same Greek word for 'flesh' is used, and he links it to other passages like 1 Corinthians 11:30 where believers were sick and some died because of abuse of the Lord's Supper. The purpose is to preserve the spirit's salvation while removing the reproach on Christ's name.
Les Feldick says that a genuinely saved person cannot be happy in sin; they will be miserable because the Holy Spirit is dealing with them. He also notes that if a person who professed faith later lives in open sin and shows no evidence of God's discipline, they may never have been truly saved. However, for a true believer, even in sin, the Lord will discipline and possibly take them home physically, but they are still saved.
Les Feldick teaches that while salvation is not lost, a believer can suffer loss of rewards at the Bema Seat. In 1 Corinthians 3, he explains that if a believer's works are 'wood, hay, stubble,' they will suffer loss of reward, but they themselves will be saved 'yet so as by fire.' This reinforces that the consequences of sin are loss of rewards, not loss of salvation.
Church Discipline and the Destruction of the Flesh
Les explains that when a believer is in gross sin, the church must deliver them to Satan 'for the destruction of the flesh,' meaning physical death, not loss of salvation.
God Chastens Believers Who Sin
Les clarifies that a believer who sins is still saved; God disciplines them, and if they bring reproach, He may take them out, but salvation is not in question.
God May Take a Believer's Physical Life
Les teaches that if a believer continues in known sin, God will take their physical life, but this does not mean they lose salvation; it shows they were never saved if God doesn't discipline them.
A Sinning Believer Is Miserable
Les notes that a genuinely saved person who falls into sin will be miserable because the Holy Spirit is dealing with them, which is evidence of their salvation.
God's Discipline Escalates to Physical Death
Les explains that if chastening doesn't bring a believer to repentance, God will take them out physically, called the 'sin unto death,' but their spirit is saved.
Physical Death vs. Spirit Salvation
Les shows from 1 Corinthians 5 and 11 that God may destroy the flesh, taking physical life, but not the spirit, thereby preserving salvation.
Loss of Reward but Not Salvation
Les teaches that a believer whose works are burned will suffer loss of reward but will still be saved 'yet so as by fire,' confirming eternal security.
Believers Can Still Sin but Are Secure
Les acknowledges that true believers can fall into sin but are kept by the advocate, Jesus Christ, and their salvation is not lost.
1 Corinthians 5:5: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Shows that the purpose of delivering a sinning believer to Satan is physical destruction, not loss of salvation, for the spirit is still saved.
1 John 5:16: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Distinguishes between sin that leads to physical death and other sins, indicating physical judgment rather than eternal loss.
Hebrews 12:6: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Shows that God disciplines His children, which is evidence of their sonship, not loss of it.
1 Corinthians 3:15: If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Indicates that a believer can lose rewards but not salvation, affirming eternal security.
1 Corinthians 11:30: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
References believers who died due to sin, showing physical death as judgment, not loss of salvation.
According to Les Feldick, the 'sin unto death' refers to a believer's persistent, open sin that leads to God taking their physical life as divine discipline. It does not refer to loss of salvation; the spirit is still saved.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that even if a believer dies as a result of this sin, they are still saved. He cites 1 Corinthians 5:5 where the spirit is saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, and 1 Corinthians 3:15 where the believer is saved yet so as by fire.
Yes, Les Feldick emphasizes that God chastens His children, and if they continue in known sin, He may take their physical life. This discipline is a sign of His love, not a loss of salvation, and is meant to protect Christ's reputation.
Watch the Teaching: What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline and Sin?