Revelation 3:1-6 delivers a stark warning to the church in Sardis. Though they had a reputation for being alive, they were spiritually dead. Jesus exhorts them to wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent—or risk losing what little they have left. This passage, among others, raises an age-old question: Can salvation be lost? Christians have debated this for centuries, and while it isn’t an essential issue of faith, understanding it can shape how we live as followers of Christ.
The two most common views on this issue are Eternal Security and Conditional Security.
Eternal Security teaches that once someone is truly saved, their salvation is secure forever. Proponents point to John 10:28-29 (“no one will snatch them out of my hand”) and Romans 8:38-39 (“nothing can separate us from the love of God”) as proof that God’s promises cannot be thwarted. The strength of this view lies in its confidence in God’s faithfulness. However, it struggles to reconcile the many warnings in Scripture about falling away (James 1:13-15, Hebrews 6:4-6, Revelation 3:5). Critics argue it can lead to complacency, downplaying human responsibility in maintaining faith.
Conditional Security, on the other hand, emphasizes the believer’s responsibility to continue in faith. This view teaches that salvation can be lost if the believer does not work to maintain good standing in their relationship with Christ. This view cites passages like Hebrews 10:26-27 and 2 Peter 2:20-22. Its strength lies in its recognition of free will and the relational nature of salvation. However, it can create anxiety for believers, leaving them unsure of their standing with God and overly focused on their performance rather than His grace.
Where do I land? Somewhere in between. I believe salvation cannot be stolen or accidentally lost, as Eternal Security affirms, but I also see the clear biblical teaching that believers can willfully reject God. I have labelled my view Covenantal Security.
Covenantal Security holds that salvation is relational and covenantal, much like a marriage. God is absolutely faithful and keeps His promises, but He chooses not to override our will. If we choose to break the covenant, He honours that choice. Ephesians 1:13 describes believers as being “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” This seal is not like a bank vault that locks down its contents, but rather like the seal on an envelope, signalling that the contents are under the ownership and protection of the seal-er, Christ in this case. Yet such a seal, by nature, can indeed be broken—but not by accident, and not by external forces. Only the one sealed can choose to break it, and only then through deliberate rejection. This view balances the assurance of Eternal Security with the accountability of Conditional Security. It also explains why Scripture warns us so seriously about falling away while also offering immense assurance to those who abide in Christ (John 15:4-6).
Both Eternal Security and Conditional Security, while helpful frameworks, fall short of fully integrating the breadth of biblical teaching. Eternal Security rightly emphasizes God’s sovereignty but tends to neglect the relational, covenantal nature of salvation. Conditional Security captures the importance of human responsibility but can err toward insecurity and legalism. Covenantal Security bridges this divide, affirming God’s faithfulness and our free will without falling into extremes.
Ultimately, the message to Sardis reminds us that salvation is not static. It is not a one-time transaction but an ongoing relationship. Jesus calls the church to wake up and repent, showing that even those who are on the brink of losing everything can return to Him. This isn’t about living in fear but about taking seriously the incredible gift we’ve been given. Love requires both assurance and responsibility, and salvation is the ultimate expression of love.
Whatever view you hold—Eternal Security, Conditional Security, perhaps I have won you to Covenantal Security, or maybe you land somewhere in between these options—let’s agree on this: salvation is God’s work, and He invites us to participate in it. Let’s encourage each other to remain steadfast, abiding in the love and grace of the One who is faithful to the end.