Paul once said, “take heed, lest ye fall” 1 Corinthians 10:12).  Falling away from our Lord is a real and present danger for all Christians. Paul called it falling away from grace.

Galatians 5:3-4 (ESV)
³  I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴  You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

Some give people a false sense of security by teaching that it is impossible for a child of God to so live as to be lost, in other words, Christians cannot fall from grace.  That such is an erroneous doctrine is seen by both direct statements in scripture and Bible examples of saints falling.

Paul knew he could lose his salvation so he took measures to prevent it.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)
²⁷  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

The last thing Paul wanted was to be disqualified after leading so many others to Christ.  So, he exercised rigid self-discipline to prevent it.  If Paul knew he could be disqualified; it is foolish for us to think we cannot.  Instead of ignoring this danger, we should do what Paul did and do all we can to keep ourselves under control by disciplining ourselves to walk with the Lord.

Peter tells us the best way to do this.  Rather than being content with our current spiritual state, we must constantly add to our faith and, thereby, assure ourselves that we will never fall.

2 Peter 1:5-10 (ESV)
⁵  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹  For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰  Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

We are blessed to know the exact formula for spiritual success.  That formula is not to pretend that we are automatically secure, regardless of how we live our lives.  It is by diligently growing in Christ and purposely increasing the spiritual qualities Peter refers to in 1 Peter 1.  If we do that, we have an inspired promise that we will never fall.

While we can fall, we do not have to do so.  God has given us all the tools necessary to stand (1 Peter 1:3; Jude 1:24).  We must determine to remain faithful.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
⁵⁸  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things