Conditional Security: Faith as the Anchor of Salvation

 The doctrine of Conditional Security asserts that salvation, while a gift of grace through faith, can be forfeited through a subsequent loss of faith. This perspective acknowledges the dynamic nature of faith, emphasizing that the same faith that initiates salvation must be continually nurtured and sustained. This version of Conditional Security posits that a believer can lose their salvation only in the same way they received it—through faith, or more specifically, through a lack of faith.

The Foundation of Salvation: Faith

Salvation is intricately tied to faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast." This passage highlights that faith is the conduit through which the grace of salvation is received. Faith, therefore, is not merely an initial step but the foundation upon which the entire Christian life is built.

The Possibility of Apostasy

The doctrine of Conditional Security asserts that just as faith is the means by which salvation is received, a loss of faith can result in the forfeiture of that salvation. This view is supported by numerous biblical passages that warn against falling away. Hebrews 6:4-6 describes the dire consequences for those who have "once been enlightened," stating: "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." This passage indicates that apostasy is a real and serious possibility.

Moreover, Jesus' parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) illustrates the varying responses to the gospel message. In this parable, Jesus says: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown." This parable underscores the necessity of enduring faith, not just an initial response, for ultimate salvation.

Distinction from Other Views

While both Conditional Security and certain other theological perspectives, such as those held by Catholics, allow for the possibility of falling away from salvation, they differ in key ways. Specifically, this version of Conditional Security asserts that salvation can be lost solely through a loss of faith, whereas other views may include additional factors such as moral lapses or failure to participate in sacraments. Thus, the Conditional Security perspective maintains that faith is both the sole means of attaining and retaining salvation.

Human Responsibility and Divine Grace

Conditional Security does not undermine the sovereignty of God or the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Instead, it recognizes the responsibility of believers to maintain their faith. This perspective aligns with the numerous New Testament exhortations to persevere and remain steadfast in faith. Philippians 2:12-13 captures this balance: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes the cooperative nature of salvation: believers must actively "work out" their salvation, even as God empowers them to do so. This dynamic interplay between divine initiative and human response is central to the doctrine of Conditional Security.

Assurance and Vigilance

One common critique of Conditional Security is that it might engender fear and anxiety among believers, causing them to constantly doubt their salvation. However, this view, when properly understood, offers a balanced assurance. Believers can be confident in their salvation as long as they continue to trust in Christ. Romans 8:38-39 provides profound assurance: "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 of God's unwavering love, emphasizing that external forces cannot sever the relationship established by faith.

At the same time, Conditional Security encourages vigilance. Believers are urged to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5) and to "hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at first" (Hebrews 3:14). This doctrine does not promote a works-based salvation but rather underscores the necessity of ongoing faith—a faith that endures and perseveres.

The Role of the Church

The doctrine of Conditional Security also highlights the vital role of the Christian community in nurturing and sustaining faith. The church serves as a support system, offering encouragement, accountability, and correction. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This communal aspect of faith underscores that perseverance is not solely an individual effort but a collective endeavor.

Mathew 24

Mathew 24:12-13 

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

This verse highlights a critical aspect of Conditional Security. It warns that many people's love for God will diminish due to increasing wickedness. However, it also provides hope by stating that those who endure and remain steadfast in their faith until the end will be saved. This shows that salvation is contingent upon maintaining one's faith and love for God despite external challenges.

Mathew 24:44-51

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This passage underscores the necessity of being vigilant and faithful. The parable of the faithful and wise servant contrasts the rewards for steadfastness with the dire consequences of complacency and wickedness. The faithful servant, who continues to fulfill his duties, is rewarded, while the wicked servant, who neglects his responsibilities, faces severe punishment. This reinforces the idea that ongoing faithfulness is essential for securing one's salvation.

Addressing Arguments from the "Once Saved, Always Saved" Perspective

Having established the foundation and implications of Conditional Security, it is important to address the arguments posed by those who advocate for the doctrine commonly known as "Once Saved, Always Saved" (OSAS). This perspective holds that once a person is genuinely saved, they cannot lose their salvation under any circumstances. Proponents of OSAS present several key arguments, each of which warrants careful examination and rebuttal from the standpoint of Conditional Security.

Argument 1: The Irreversibility of God's Gift

Advocates of OSAS often argue that salvation, as a gift from God, is irrevocable. They cite Romans 11:29, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." They maintain that since salvation is a gift from God, it cannot be taken back or forfeited.

Rebuttal: While it is true that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable, this passage is often interpreted in its broader context to refer to God's covenantal promises to Israel. The concept of irrevocability does not necessarily imply that individuals cannot reject the gift. Hebrews 3:12 warns believers: "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." This indicates that believers must remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith, showing that a willful departure from faith can lead to losing salvation.

Argument 2: Assurance of Salvation

OSAS proponents emphasize that the Bible provides assurance of salvation, such as in John 10:28-29 where Jesus says, "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."

Rebuttal: Conditional Security does not deny the assurance of salvation but rather emphasizes the need for continued faith. The assurance provided in John 10:28-29 is indeed powerful, yet it must be understood in conjunction with passages that warn against falling away. For instance, Colossians 1:22-23 states, "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel." The assurance is contingent upon remaining in the faith.

Argument 3: Perseverance of the Saints

OSAS often aligns with the Calvinist doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, which asserts that true believers will persevere in faith until the end. They argue that those who fall away were never truly saved to begin with, as indicated in 1 John 2:19: "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us."

Rebuttal: The concept that those who fall away were never truly saved simplifies the complex nature of faith and apostasy. Hebrews 6:4-6 and other passages show that those who fall away were once genuinely part of the faith community. Moreover, the call to perseverance implies a real possibility of failing to persevere. Revelation 3:5 states, "The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels." This shows that there is a conditional aspect to remaining in the book of life, dependent on continued faithfulness.

Argument 4: God's Sovereignty

OSAS proponents argue that questioning the permanence of salvation undermines God's sovereignty and the efficacy of Christ's atonement. They believe that if human actions can nullify salvation, it detracts from God's ultimate authority and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.

Rebuttal: Acknowledging the potential for apostasy does not undermine God's sovereignty or the efficacy of Christ's atonement. Rather, it emphasizes the seriousness of human responsibility within the framework of divine grace. Philippians 2:12-13 illustrates this balance: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." This passage underscores that God’s sovereignty operates alongside human responsibility, and both are integral to the process of salvation.

Argument 5: The Nature of Eternal Life

OSAS proponents highlight that eternal life, by definition, is everlasting and cannot be lost. They argue that if salvation can be lost, it was never truly eternal to begin with.

Rebuttal: Eternal life is indeed a promise for believers, but this promise is realized through an ongoing relationship with Christ. John 15:5-6 emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." The concept of eternal life is intertwined with remaining in Christ, showing that it is conditional upon continued faith and connection to the source of life.

Conclusion

The doctrine of Conditional Security provides a nuanced understanding of salvation that honors both God's grace and human responsibility. While addressing the key arguments posed by OSAS proponents, Conditional Security maintains that faith is the essential element in both receiving and retaining salvation. It underscores the importance of vigilance, perseverance, and the active role of believers in sustaining their relationship with God. Through this balanced approach, Conditional Security affirms the enduring nature of God's promises while recognizing the real possibility of apostasy, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith journey.