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Conditional Eternal Security – Our Salvation Is Conditional

The advocates of eternal security often cite John 3:16 as evidence that all that is required for salvation is faith. This passage, however, is seen as more than a single event when we look at it in the King James Version: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The “eth” ending to the word “believeth” indicates that continuing faith is required. The following Bible events are examples of the possibility of losing one’s salvation because of disobedience:

1) The Story Of The King Who Wanted To Settle Accounts With His Servants (Matthew 18:21-35).

Note that forgivenesss was retracted by the king because the forgiven man did not forgive the person owing him. If we are not forgiving, the Father will render unto us likewise (vs. 35).

2) The Story Of The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).

Five virgins missed the wedding feast. Jesus admonished his disciples to be watchful in verse 13. Why “watch” if the feast cannot be missed anyway?

3) The Parable Of The Seed That Fell Among The Rocks (Luke 8:13).

Note that these folks “believed” until the time of temptation and then “fell away.”

4) The Parable Of The Faithful And Wise Manager (Luke 12:42-46).

Here we see that a “believer” was assigned a place with “unbelievers.”

5) The Metaphor Of The True Vine (John 15:1-6).

If one does not “remain” in the teachings of Christ, he will be “cast into the fire, and they are burned” (vs. 6). Here we can plainly see that “detachment” from Christ is possible.

6) The Disciples Were Encouraged To Remain True (Acts 14:21-22).

Note verse 22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith….” Entry into the kingdom was not automatic after initially believing.

7) The Brethren Were Warned To Live By The Spirit (Romans 8:12-14).

Living by the flesh meant death. If life here is eternal life, then what is death but eternal death?

8) Gentiles Stand Before God By Faith (Romans 11:20-22).

We see that a failure to maintain that faith will cause Gentiles to be “cut off” (vs. 22). An active, ongoing, faith is required to be saved (Gal. 5:6; James 2:24).

9) Paul Urged The Corinthian Brethren To Run In Order To Receive The Prize Of The Crown Of Life (1 Corinthians 9:23-27).

Note that even the apostle Paul could be disqualified for the prize (vs. 27).

10) God’s People Traveling From Egypt To The Promised Land Were A Model For Us (1 Corinthians 10:1-21).

Many of God’s people that had been saved from Egypt did not make the Promised Land because of disobedience. The application is clear. Christians can run the same risk (vs. 6).

11) Paul Warned The Corinthian Church It Was Necessary To Hold Fast (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

Note verse 2, “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory (marginal reading – “hold fast”) what I have preached unto you….”

12) Continuing In Christian Living Requires Constant Participation (2 Corinthians 1:24).

Note the phrase, “for by faith ye stand.”

13) Paul Urged The Corinthians To Examine Themselves – This implies it is possible to miss the reward (2 Corinthians 13:5).

According to this verse, one can be a “reprobate.” That word literally means “not standing the test”. A Christian can thus “fail” in his Christian waLuke

14) Some Of The Galations Were Away From Grace And Out Of The Faith (Gal. 5:4-5).

These folks wanted to be justified by the law of Moses and were declared by the inspired apostle to be “fallen from grace” (vs. 4).

Conclusion

More scriptural evidence could be given. If just one of the above passages teaches conditional salvation, then God has spoken. For a person to reject this weight of evidence indicates they have an agenda other than God’s Word.