The Security of Our Salvation: Conditional or Eternal?

Is our salvation conditionally secure? This article delves into the debate between conditional and eternal security within Christianity.

Is our salvation conditionally secure?

When it comes to the topic of salvation, there are differing views within Christianity. One theological term that often comes up in this discussion is "conditional security." But what does it mean? Is our salvation conditionally secure, or is it eternally secure?

Conditional security is the belief that our salvation is contingent upon our faithfulness to God until the end. In other words, we can only be assured of our salvation if we remain faithful and obedient to God throughout our lives. Advocates of conditional security often point to biblical passages that emphasize the importance of endurance and perseverance in the Christian walk.

Biblical passages supporting conditional security

Matthew 24:11-13 states, "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." This passage suggests that our salvation is dependent on our ability to remain firm and faithful amidst deception and wickedness.

Similarly, Romans 8:12-14 says, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." This passage implies that our eternal life is contingent on our willingness to live according to the Spirit and reject the sinful nature.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 also supports the idea of conditional security: "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." Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes the need to hold firmly to the gospel in order to receive salvation.

Galatians 6:7-9 further reinforces the concept of conditional security: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This passage highlights the importance of sowing to please the Spirit and persevering in doing good to attain eternal life.

The other side of the debate: eternal security

While conditional security is one perspective, there is another side to this debate. Advocates of eternal security, also known as Calvinists, believe that once a person is saved, their salvation is secure for eternity. They argue that our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or faithfulness, but solely on the grace of God.

Matthew 24:24 speaks to the idea of eternal security, saying, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." The term "elect" refers to those chosen by God for salvation, and this passage suggests that they cannot be deceived or lose their salvation.

Romans 8:38-39 further supports the concept of eternal security: "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." This passage assures believers that nothing can separate them from the love of God, including the loss of salvation.

John 10:28-29 emphasizes the security of believers in the hands of God: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will 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." This passage reaffirms the idea that once a person is saved, they are eternally secure in the hands of God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 provides another assurance of eternal security: "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." The presence of the Holy Spirit in believers is seen as a guarantee of their eternal inheritance.

Reconciling the two perspectives

On the surface, it may seem like these two perspectives are in contradiction. How can salvation be both conditionally and eternally secure? To understand this, it is important to delve into the theological framework known as the Doctrines of Grace, which provide a comprehensive understanding of salvation.

The Doctrines of Grace, also known as Calvinism, consist of five points: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. These points work together to provide a cohesive understanding of salvation and the security of believers.

Total Depravity asserts that due to original sin, humanity is born in a state of complete corruption and is unable to do anything to please God or seek salvation on their own. This understanding sets the stage for the subsequent points.

Unconditional Election teaches that salvation is entirely God's work, not dependent on anything we do. It is God who chooses and elects individuals for salvation, based solely on His grace and not on any merit or effort on our part.

Limited Atonement follows, explaining that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was specifically for those whom God has elected for salvation. It is a perfect and complete atonement that secures the salvation of those chosen by God.

Irresistible Grace emphasizes that God's grace cannot be resisted or thwarted. When God chooses to save someone, His grace irresistibly draws them to Himself and brings about their regeneration and conversion.

Finally, Perseverance of the Saints asserts that those who have truly been saved by God will persevere in faith and obedience until the end. This perseverance is not based on their own efforts, but on the preserving and sanctifying work of God in their lives.

When understood within the framework of the Doctrines of Grace, the apparent contradiction between conditional and eternal security is resolved. Our salvation is both conditionally secure because we are called to persevere and remain faithful, and eternally secure because it is ultimately God's work and grace that preserves us.

The implications of eternal security

Some may argue that the concept of eternal security could lead to a lack of motivation for holy living. If salvation is secure, why should we strive to live a righteous life? However, this objection misunderstands the true nature of salvation and the response it should evoke within believers.

When we truly understand and embrace the grace of God in our salvation, it leads to a deep sense of gratitude and love for Him. Our response is not to live in sin and take advantage of God's grace, but rather to live in obedience and holiness as a natural outpouring of our love for Him.

Just as a child who has been adopted into a loving family desires to please their parents and live up to the love and care they have received, so too do believers desire to honor and obey God out of gratitude for His saving grace.

The Doctrines of Grace, far from promoting a lackadaisical attitude towards holiness, actually provide a firm foundation for a life of piety and devotion. When we understand that our salvation is entirely the work of God and not dependent on our own efforts, it frees us to live in joyful obedience and devotion to Him.

Conclusion

In the debate between conditional and eternal security, it is necessary to go beyond surface-level arguments and dive into the theological framework that underpins these perspectives. The Doctrines of Grace provide a comprehensive understanding of salvation that reconciles both the need for perseverance and the assurance of eternal security.

Our salvation is conditionally secure in the sense that we are called to persevere and remain faithful to God until the end. However, it is also eternally secure because it is ultimately God's work and grace that preserves us. Our response to this understanding should be one of love, gratitude, and a desire to live in holiness and obedience to God.

As we navigate the complexities of this theological debate, let us remember that our focus should always be on the grace and love of God, rather than on our own efforts or abilities. It is His work in us that brings about our salvation and empowers us to live a life that honors and pleases Him.