Question: What is the strongest passage of Scripture for conditional security?
Answer:
I believe the single strongest portion of Scripture that one can find for teaching conditional security of the believer is found in Romans 11:20-22. Here we find Paul the Apostle clearly showing that our salvation is conditioned upon our faith in the Lord Jesus. Notice how he begins in verse 20 by noting that the Jews were broken off the vine by their unbelief in Jesus as the Messiah (Romans 10:1-4). The Jews’ rejection opened the door for Gentiles to hear the gospel and be saved by faith (Romans 11:15-16). Paul then warns the Gentiles to not boast about their being grafted in because of the unbelief of the Jews (Romans 11:17-19) but to fear God and continue in the faith (Romans 11:20), for if they fail to continue to believe (Romans 11:21), then they too will be cut off (Romans 11:22). John Wesley, in his notes on the New Testament, simply writes about Romans 11:22, “Lose your salvation.”
In order for us not to miss the power of Romans 11:22, Paul says in verse 23 that the unbelieving Jews can be grafted back in if they turn and believe. This leaves no doubt that he is teaching conditional salvation based on faith. We are saved by faith (Romans 3:22-25; 5:1-11) and we are kept by faith (1 Peter 1:5). But we must continue to believe in Jesus Christ firm until the end (Matthew 24:13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Galatians 5:1-4; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:6-19; 4:1-16; 5:8-9; 6:4-20; etc.).
[Link to original post and comments on Roy Ingle’s website.]
[Editor’s Note: For a fuller treatment of Romans 11 with respect to the doctrine of security, see Ben Henshaw, “Perseverance Of The Saints Part 3: The Ancient Olive Tree.”]
