A Christian can not lose salvation

I am happy to accept the challenge and, of course, cannot offer any negations in this acceptance; therefore, I shall merely clarify my position: my position is that a Christian - one who has trusted in Christ, repented of his sins, confessed his faith in Christ, and been baptized into Christ - can in fact conduct himself in such a way as to forfeit his hope of eternal life. The natural end or ultimate calamity of this "conduct himself in such a way" is to revert to disbelief, so the question then becomes, "Can a Christian (believer) cease to believe?" My position is that certainly a Christian possesses the liberty of thought or action and may, for whatever reason, become an unbeliever. If not, why not? Well, it will remain for my opponent to explain this impossibility for us: if an unbeliever possesses the right or liberty of thought or free-will to become a believer, why does he suddenly lose this right? And I'll submit, just for thought, that my opponent's position seems to imply a series of miracles upon every saved person in the world, constantly, lest any one of them might drift into atheism.Now to the definitions:Christian: My opponent and I are both presupposing salvation - that a Christian is the equivalent of a saved person, even if our specifics may differ as to the "how". Salvation: Of course, this debate revolves or will revolve in large part upon these terms so I shall launch forth: my opponent defines "salvation" as "to gain eternal life through Jesus Christ." Well, that's an excellent definition, and I concur, but I also inquire, "to gain eternal life - in what sense?" That is the important point. How? In what sense? Do you have it in the same sense as the peerless apostle to the Gentiles?"will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath." (Rom 2: 6-8)Or as the apostle whom Jesus loved?"If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he has promised us, even eternal life." (I John 2: 24-25) Or as Paul said in TItus 1: 2?"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Thus, combining the verses (and others), I'd say that you or I or any other Christian has eternal life in this sense: we have it in promise; we have it in prospect; we seek it; we yearn for it; we hope for it. So the fact is that we have eternal life. The how is "in promise, in hope, in prospect." Our spirits have eternal existence anyhow, for better or worse. My body, however, is mortal - until the second coming. My opponent also defines salvation as: "The act of grace from Jesus Christ by protecting one from harm, risk, loss, destruction, in eternal damnation." Well, salvation is an act of grace for sure, for we all will agree that salvation is unearned even if one must comply with certain conditions in order to receive it. The question, as always, is, "Does one have to comply with certain conditions, i. e. belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, in order to keep it?" No one, including me, questions your definition as it refers to a faithful Christian - a Christian who is walking in His light (according to His teachings)."But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I Jn 1: 7). I'd be happy to define "salvation" as "the state of being cleansed from all sin." That would be a pretty safe one, wouldn't it? I'd like to know, however, what becomes of the fellow who flat-out refuses to walk in any "light" at all - all the way to the point of disbelief? Is that possible, and, if not, why the warning? The same sentiment is expressed in Rom 8: 1:"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."Why, certainly not. There cannot be any condemnation to a character such as that: he is "in Christ Jesus", and he is not walking "after the flesh", but "after the Spirit." To walk "after the Spirit" is to be led by the teachings of the Spirit in the word of God and is synonymous with "walk in the light." That's a faithful Christian. How about this Christian if he simply decides to "walk after the flesh" - again, to the point of disbelief in Jesus Christ, period? Is the blood of Christ still cleansing him?I hope that clarifies (somewhat, anyway) my views of the definitions. "Salvation" and "eternal life" are used in different senses at times; thus, the precise definition is context-dependent:"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (I Pet 1: 9) is a tad different than "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, 'Save yourselves from this untoward generation'." (Acts 2: 40) As far as BOP, as I stated in the Forum Section, my primary goal will be to simply negate the passages or whatever else my opponent might introduce. And I shall be happy to affirm "A child of God - a Christian - can be lost" or something to that effect in another debate.This concludes my comments on the definitions, and I hope more clearly defines the issue. And here it is, and this is what it will boil down to: can a man who believes today ever quit believing? Any arguments about "a faithful child of God cannot be lost" are not even relevant, but this is: "Can a faithful child of God, one who believes in Him, and accepts Him and becomes pardoned ... can that man ever cease to be a believer? Does that freedom of choice exist, and can it be exercised? If not, what prevents it?" That, I believe, is the issue boiled down in its last analysis. Best wishes as my opponent begins his affirmative.