Does Mark 4:13-20 Teach We Can Loose Our Salvation?
by Clarence Ratliff

In the passage of Mark 4:13-20, some have claimed that Jesus is referring to people losing salvation. Jesus explains this parable (told first in Mk 4:3-8) in detail. This parable is concerned with people hearing the Word, and bearing fruit from what they hear. The sower is Christ Himself (the Word), and the seed is the Gospel of the Kingdom. The different types of ground represent four different types of hearers. While it can be reasoned out the spiritual condition of the four types of hearers, Jesus is not actually addressing the subject of salvation. There is nothing in this parable concerning salvation as we understand the term in the Body of Christ. He is talking about people bearing fruit based on their understanding of the Word.

The seed falling by the wayside, with Satan snatching away the Word from them, represents the first group of hearers. (Mk 4:15) They are the non-believers, and cannot bear fruit from the word.

The seed that falls in the stony ground represents people who respond positively to the Word, but reject it when persecution or affliction comes. The Word has not taken root in their hearts. (Mk 4:16) These hearers may not be saved at all, but only responding to the outward trappings of religion, or the emotions of the moment (as in big emotionally charged evangelism meetings), not having genuine faith (putting their trust in the Lord).

The seed that falls among the thorns represents the third group. (Mk 4:18) This group allows the cares of this world to choke out the Word. This group, while saved, bears very little fruit, as their priorities are on worldly pursuits, rather than upon the things of the Lord.

Lastly, the fourth group is those who hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit from applying it to their lives. (Mk 4:20)

While this passage in Mark does not address whether or not someone can loose their salvation, I do not believe it to be possible. Our salvation is not in our own hands, it is entirely a work of God. Paul writes in Ephesians, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) – Eph 2:4,5. Our salvation is not something we can pat ourselves on the back for and “boast” about. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Eph 2:8,9. In Ephesians 1:13,14 Paul writes that we are “sealed” by the Holy Spirit. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” The “earnest of our inheritance” is a guarantee of our inheritance, until the “redemption of the purchased possession.” Our salvation is guaranteed until He claims what He has purchased, which is the believer.

In Romans, Paul addresses whether or not one can “work” to attain salvation. “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-5. Salvation has always been by God’s grace, through faith. If salvation comes through faith not works, then why must one work to maintain it? To paraphrase Romans 4:4, when a man works, his wages (reward) are not a gift, but an obligation. To think that we can loose salvation is to say we must “work” to earn keeping it. To say that we must “work” to maintain salvation is to say that God owes it to us. To think that we must work to maintain our salvation is to say that Christ’s shed blood is insufficient to the task. “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” – Galatians 2:21. If we could earn righteousness in God’s sight Christ need not have sacrificed Himself for us.