What Does It Mean to be Saved?
Updated: Jul 10, 2020
Romans chapter 10 and verse 9 states: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." A recent translation of this verse reads: "that if you confess with your lips the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." [Modern Language Bible] So what is the meaning of this word "saved?" Is it just some theological jargon some folks use to declare themselves better than or different from other people?
The word "save" translated from the Greek word "saos" occurs 93 times in the New Testament meaning to "deliver or protect (literal or figurative) :- heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole."-Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words states: "sôzô is the most common verb in the New Testament meaning "save." The term occurs around 110 times in a variety of contexts, although the most common of these refers to being saved, or delivered, from the penalty of sin and death."
Based on the Greek definition of the word "save" a person has been delivered from the penalty of sin and spiritual death. Romans 6th chapter and verse 23 states: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The gift of God is His salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ. "The believing sinner receives the spiritual life of a new nature from God (2 Pet. 1:4) and is freed from the power of sin (spiritual death) while having to endure its presence until the resurrection. Deliverance of the body will occur at the resurrection when an entire creation will also be renovated (Rom. 8:21-23)."-The Complete Word Study Dictionary,
The angel told Joseph that Mary "will bear a son, and you will call him 'Jesus,' for he will save his people from their sins." [Matthew 1:21 Modern Living Translation) Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth was to save [deliver, rescue] you and I from the power of sin. We cannot be saved by our own power because sin has a grip on us and it takes the power of God through Jesus Christ to free us [deliver, rescue] us from this power. Note in Matthew 1:21 it is stated that Jesus will save [deliver, rescue] His people from their sins. Jesus does not save us in our sins but rescues us from the very power of sin. The apostle Paul writing to the church at Rome asked them the question: "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" [Romans 6:1-2 New Living Translation] Jesus paid the price with His death on the cross and His resurrection to rescue [save] you and I from the control of sin in this life.
This eternal gift from God is received by you confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." [Romans 10: 9-10 The New Living Translation] Once you are saved [delivered, rescued] from the power of sin follow the words of Jesus "go, and sin no more."[John 8:11]
"It is never too early to decide for Christ, but the time will come when it will be too late." The Complete Book of Zingers
Quiz Yourself
1. The Greek word "saos" is mentioned in the New Testament _________ times and means to "deliver or protect, save or be whole."
2. A person is delivered from the penalty of sin and _____________ death.
3. The gift of God's salvation is offered to us through _________________.
4. Believing sinners receive a spiritual life (a new nature) and is freed from the power of
__________________.
5. Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth was to ____________ his people (you and I) from their sins.
6. Jesus does not save us in our sins but _____________ us from the very power of sin.
7. Paul tells us in Romans 6:1-2 that we are not to keep on ______________ so that God can show us more kindness and forgiveness.
8. God's eternal gift is received by you ______________ with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and______________ in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.
9. By believing in your heart you are made _________ with God and by confessing with your
______________ you are saved.
10. Once you are saved you are to go and _____________ no more.
NOTE: If you would like to study this subject in more detail go to the site listed below and type in "salvation" http://bible.crosswalk.com/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary/