Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Text/SMS
Random
Subscribe
Answer
Conditional security is a theological term that refers to the salvation of believers in Jesus Christ. It describes a Christian’s salvation as subject to conditions and is often contrasted with eternal security. Proponents of conditional security believe that salvation is conditioned on a person remaining faithful to Jesus until death. To support this view, those who adhere to this doctrine cite passages such as:
And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:11–13)
“So therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:12–14)
"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:1–2)
These passages supposedly point to the conditional nature of the believer’s salvation. In each one, the biblical author seems to use conditional language to describe the nature of the believer’s relationship with Jesus. While this view would not say that the gift of salvation is lacking, the individual believer must strive to remain faithful.“So therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:12–14)
"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:1–2)
Those who hold to eternal security explain verses like these differently and cite their own passages in support of their view. First, they would say the verses above don’t suggest a believer’s salvation is subject to change, but that genuine believers will persevere in faith because God preserves them. They would also point to verses that teach their perspective in a straightforward manner:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28–29)
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13–14)
For each of the above passages, the eternal security of the believer rests not on the individual effort of the believer, but on the finished work of Christ and the preserving grace of God (Matthew 24:11–13, Romans 8:12–14, Romans 8:38–39, John 10:28–29).“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28–29)
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13–14)
In summary, eternal security holds that genuine believers maintain faith because God sustains them. This means believers do nothing to obtain or earn salvation. If salvation is a free gift of God's grace, how can believers lose it? If salvation is received entirely by God's grace through faith in Jesus, and not by human effort, then it cannot be maintained by human effort either. The same grace that saves also keeps the believer secure.
Rather than teaching that salvation depends on continued efforts, the Bible teaches that good works and perseverance are the evidence and fruit of genuine salvation, not how it is kept (Galatians 5:22–23; James 2:17–18).
