Saved!
Our very vital topic of our post this week begins with that which caused a spiritual and relational divide between God and man. Sin or man's disobedience caused us to be separated spiritually and relationally from God. If that divide is not responded to, the result will be eternal separation from God and all that He is. Praise God, He made a way for the broken relationship sin caused to be restored. Thank you for joining us to read, "Saved!" Eric
Today, we are going to look at the whys and wherefores of being 'saved.' Let's begin with why salvation is an absolute must for mankind.
When the Lord created the earth and mankind (Adam and Eve), He placed them in a beautiful garden. He gave them only one command and when that command was broken, sin and death entered the world. Romans 5:12 (ESV) reads, "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--" Psalm 57:5 reveals that all of us were "brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me." The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23). The death that came upon man was both physical and spiritual. When God made mankind in His image, He created us as eternal beings, as He is an eternal being. Our physical bodies will one day die and if we have not accepted the sacrifice of Christ for our sins, we will suffer spiritual death - which is eternal separation from our Creator, God.
You see, Hebrews 9:22 reveals that "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins." The problem was, the only sacrifice acceptable was one made by a perfect man or one without sin. We have already seen that none of us is perfect, because of Adam's sin. Thankfully, God initiated a way for mankind to be saved from eternal spiritual death. He sent His Son, Jesus, Who was without sin to be the necessary perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree." (1 Peter 2:24a). He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life to make us right with God, or for our justification. (Romans 4:25).
We see plainly in the Scripture that Jesus came to save the people of this world from their sin and to give them eternal life in heaven:
John 3:16 and 17 ESV), "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world (ungodly), but in order that the world (ungodly) might be saved through him." The word 'saved' in verse 17 is the Greek word sozo which means: “heal, rescue, deliver out of danger into divine safety. (from the penalty and power of sin).” (HELPS Word-studies).
Luke 19:10 (ESV) reads, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Note that as believers, we are to be imitators of our Savior, thus we need to go out seeking for those who are lost in sin. The 'lost' are those who would be eternally separated from God, without accepting Jesus' sacrifice.
Titus 2:11 (BSB) reveals, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone." By God's grace or unmerited favor, He freely gave Himself away so we could be saved! Understand though, only those who accept His sacrifice will be saved. He has given man free-will, to choose to receive His amazing gift or not.
Acts 2:21 (NIV) reveals, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 'Calls on' conveys: to invoke or appeal with a heartfelt cry to God for rescue, forgiveness and on going aid.
It is vital that we understand the Truth presented in Acts 4:12 (BSB), “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Only Jesus is able to save us!
I want to spend the rest of our study focusing on and exploring more thoroughly what it means to be 'saved.' Get ready! You will see that salvation or being saved is much more than only being saved from our sin and receiving eternal life with Him in heaven.
We are not solely saved from sin, but also from the consequences of sin. We are saved "completely" or "to the uttermost." Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV) reads, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." The Greek word translated 'to the uttermost' or 'completely' in other translations is panteles. "'Panteles' conveys a sense of absolute completeness - nothing lacking, nothing partial, nothing left behind and nothing left to be added." (Topical Lexicon, Bible Hub). What good news for believers!
"Christ's eternal life and intercession assures we believers that no aspect of redemption remains unfinished or uncertain. Our redemption is utterly perfect and complete." (Topical Lexicon Bible Hub). We can absolutely trust and have confidence in Christ's ongoing intercession. Hallelujah! “What God designs, Christ secures, and the Spirit seals completely in every respect." (Topical Lexicon Bible Hub).
The most often used word in the New Testament for 'saved' is soteria. Soteria means: "deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue and general well-being. It also includes forgiveness, healing, safety, liberation and restoration. The salvation we receive from Christ is total in scope for the total man: spirit, soul and body." (Word Wealth, NSFLB).
His salvation produces abundant (more than enough) life. (John 10:10)
He heals all who are oppressed - Acts 10:38 (NASB20),"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." Jesus entered His public ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. 'Healing all who were oppressed by the devil' indicates that Jesus "confronted sickness, demons and every form of bondage brought about by sin's entrance into the world." (Bible Hub Study Bible). 'Healing' aomai in the Greek means: to heal, cure, restore particularly as supernatural and drawing attention to the Lord as the Great Physician. 'Oppressed' katadynasteuomenous in the Greek means: to overpower, treat harshly, exercise dominion against and to tyrannize to dominate. This meaning of 'oppressed' describes exactly the tactics and strategies the devil uses to draw all people away from the Lord. John 10:10 reveals that the devil's whole intention for mankind is to steal, kill and destroy. But - praise God! 1 John 3:8 (NASB20) reveals " The Son of God appeared that He might destroy the works of the devil." 'Destroy' means: break up, demolish, overthrow and do away with. This is a wonderful scripture we can hold on to.
Psalm 103:2-6 (NIV) recaps the benefits of our being saved, "Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits--3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed."
Also, Matthew 8:16 and 17 (ESV) reveals added benefits to salvation: "That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."
How do we receive salvation or 'be saved'? Romans 10:9, 10 and 13 reads, "..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. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ... 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." We are also instructed to repent (turn away) from our sins because "whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning." (1 John 3:8a)
Acknowledge you are a sinner, acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead, confess your sins and ask Him for forgiveness.
I pray that each of you are saved. However, if you are not, none of us are guaranteed unlimited time in which to make that decision. In fact, the Scripture encourages us that “Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). I beseech you - make that decision today.
His heart's desire is that you would be saved and experience, in full, His benefits!
He loves you more than you can imagine!
Scriptures used were from:
ESV English Standard Version
BSB Berean Standard Bible
NIV New International Version
NKJV New King James Version
NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020
NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible