Recently a visitor was telling me that the Romans 11 discussion of "branches being cut off" was definitive proof that a person could lose their salvation. That no amount of exegesis could prove otherwise. But if one looks at the context, the passage itself may, at first glance, even appear to be contradictory. For how could the apostle Paul write of branches being cut off (v.22), and then in the same breath turn around and say that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable? (v.29) Which is it? Is Paul telling us that a Christian can lose his salvation, or is he saying that regenerate Christians are guaranteed an eternal inheritance? Or something else altogether?
Take a closer look at Romans 11. It speaks of Israel, who was hardened in part, and was a branch that was "cut-off" because of widespread unbelief (vs. 20). Paul then admonishes the Gentiles to "continue in his kindness. Otherwise {they] too will be cut off."(v. 22)