Conditional preservation of the saints

The conditional preservation of the saints, or conditional perseverance of the saints, or commonly conditional security, is the ArminianChristian belief that believers are kept safe by God in their saving relationship with him upon the condition of a persevering faith in Christ. This doctrine asserts that while believers are secure in their union with Christ and cannot be separated from him by external forces, they retain the freedom to turn away from God and commit apostasy.

Rooted in the teachings of the early church, Jacobus Arminius, and John Wesley, this view is supported by extensive biblical warnings against falling away. In contrast notably to the Calvinist doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, Arminians hold that saving faith must continually express itself in love and obedience. To prevent the forfeiture of salvation, the doctrine emphasizes ongoing spiritual maturity, mutual encouragement, and prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit. It is widely affirmed across various Christian traditions.