Saved = Rescued

What does it mean to be "saved"? What do we need to be saved from?

The Bible makes it clear that man (referring to mankind) is a sinner both by birth and by personal action. Because God is holy and just, man in his sinful condition is unfit to enter heaven and is condemned to spend eternity in hell. Hell is a real place of fire and torment, forever separated from God. But the Bible tells us that God loved the world and took action to rescue mankind, to "save" us, so that we could be forgiven of our sin, pardoned from the judgment and punishment we would have faced, and one day live with God in heaven.

Have you been rescued?

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came into the world for the express purpose of paying the price of our salvation. Jesus is fully God and fully man. This fact made Him uniquely able to rescue us. He suffered a cruel death on a cross. Though his accusers at the time had their reasons for inflicting this upon him, the Bible explains that He had committed no sins Himself. He died to pay for our sin, the sins of the whole world. Then on the third day, He rose back to life.

Can we know that Jesus' payment applies to us? Can we be sure we are going to heaven? Some think heaven is gained by church membership or baptism or by doing good deeds during our life. This thinking denies plain Bible truth. Note what the following verses say...

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us . . .”

Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Galatians 3:11 “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

John 3:16 is a well-known Bible verse that says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The following two verses (17 and 18) in that chapter tell us, “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

It is important to understand that the word "believeth" in these verses means more than mere intellectual agreement. The Greek word holds the idea of trusting, clinging to, relying on. We must depend on Another to save us. That Person is Christ.

What must one do to be guaranteed a home in heaven according to these Bible truths?

A person must first believe that he/she is a sinner incapable of getting to heaven on his own merits. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
A person must believe that Jesus died and paid the total price that is required by God for entrance into heaven. Each person must also believe that Jesus physically rose from the grave in victory over sin and death. Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth [showed, proved, demonstrated] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Hebrews 10:12 "But this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;"
Each individual must believe that Jesus died for his/her sin.
One must personally believe on (trust in, depend on) Christ and call upon Him to forgive his/her sin and save him. John 1:12 "But as many as received him [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe [trust, depend] on his name:"

You may experience the joy of salvation by placing your trust in the Lord Jesus as your Savior. Talk to God in prayer about your need. There are no special words, but you could say something similar to this: “Dear Father God, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe Jesus died in my place and rose from the dead, proving that You accepted Jesus' sacrifice for me. As best I know how to do, I put my full faith and trust in Jesus Christ without any reservation, to save me from my sin. Thank you for saving me now and for all eternity. Amen”

If you have done this or have questions, please contact someone at this phone number, 336-403-7630. It would be our privilege to help you.