Saved?

Christians sometimes, while sharing their faith with others, will begin the conversation with the question, “Are you saved?” Or one might hear a pastor at the end of a sermon ask the question, “Is there anyone who would like to be saved?” This word is one that we use in normal conversation such as when we speak of someone being saved from a disastrous outcome: “She was saved from drowning.” When used by the Christian community, those outside of the church may not understand its reference. Saved? Saved from what? This message is written to clarify such meaning and to introduce you to the One who is the Savior. When the Bible talks about humanity’s need of salvation, it speaks of everyone’s need to escape the rightful judgment by God for their sin against Him. It is because we have all, without exception, sinned and come short of God’s perfections that we stand in jeopardy of God’s righteous and just judgment (Romans 3:23; John 3:18). The Bible tells us that this judgment, for which we are all at risk, results in eternal separation from God. Further, that separation will result in a tormented state referred to as hell.  Sounds bad, doesn’t it? Thank God the story does not end there. Joseph, Mary’s espoused husband, was informed by God in a dream that his virgin wife was to give birth to a Son who was to be named Jesus (meaning Savior) because He would save His people from their sins. When the angel appeared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, he announced the joyful message that a Savior for all the people had been born. He was “Christ the Lord.”  How was it that Jesus was to become the Savior of mankind? Isaiah, a prophet, prophesied in the 8th century B.C. concerning Christ stating, “Surely He took our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our [humanity’s] transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray. Each has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6, NIV). The Apostle Peter wrote similarly regarding Jesus, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree ... By Whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).  So, in the context of a Christian conversation about being saved, salvation refers to being saved from our sin and judgment. As can be seen from these few verses, Christ bore God’s judgment for our sin when He died on the cross. He became our substitute. He accepted our sin and guilt, bearing our punishment. With judgment having been administered and the penalty paid, God is free to forgive sin.  The Bible records a story about a jailer in the city of Phillipi who had been given the duty of imprisoning the apostles Paul and Silas. After hearing the apostles preach the good news regarding Christ and seeing God work through a mighty earthquake, he cried out to the apostles, “What must I do to be saved?” He was not speaking of physical but spiritual salvation. Paul’s response was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Acts 4:12 tells us that no other person than Christ can bring salvation.  Jesus died having borne the judgment of the world’s sins. He did not, however, remain in the grave. He was resurrected to life and forever lives to make intercession before God the Father on behalf of all who believe. The Apostle Paul stated that anyone who will confess with their mouth (implies genuine belief) that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, will be saved. Believe this message of good news. Receive the Savior, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Master and you will be saved. These are two sides of the same coin. You will not receive what you do not believe. If belief (faith) is genuine you will make Him Lord of your life.  One last thing. Being saved from our sin and its consequences does not come to one by good works but comes simply by God’s grace (unmerited favor). It comes by believing and receiving. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  I invite you to place your faith (believe) in Jesus and commit your life to Him right now. If you are willing to do this, I recommend that you cement this moment in your memory by praying, in your own words, a simple prayer to God stating your belief in His Son Jesus, and commit your life to follow His teachings found in the Bible.