What most United Methodists believe is based on our belief in the “free will” of the individual. The Bible supports the fact that God gives you and me the opportunity to choose Him or reject Him. In the Garden of Eden, God put the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and gave Adam and Eve a choice to eat or not to eat. John 3:16 gives “Whoever believe in Him” a choice to accept or reject Christ. Revelation 3:20 gives us a choice—Behold I stand at the door and knock—we may choose to open that door! So far, most Christians agree. Where the difference arises is after one accepts Christ. Methodists believe that we retain “free will” after salvation. That is to say, it is possible for a believer to change their mind and willfully reject Christ as their Saviour. I did not say “lose you salvation.” That is a common abuse of the doctrine of “Free Will.” You may lose your car keys; that is not intentional. One must purposely reject Christ, not simply have a bad day or rough patch.
Scripture supports this in Hebrews 6:4-8, I Timothy 4:1-5, II Timothy 3:1-5. “In later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful doctrines (I Timothy).” The Bible uses the word “apostasy,” to refer to those who choose to reject their salvation. The great news is the Bible also teaches that we can have an assurance of our salvation. It is not based on our works but His work (I John 5:11-13). For we live, worship and repent on a daily basis without fear or being overcome by doubt about our salvation (Romans 8:14-16).