What Does It Mean to be Saved?

When you hear the word "saved" what will be the first thing that comes to people's mind?  There are some who will ask the question, "Saved from what?" In so many words what are we being "saved" from? There are also some religious people in the church who believe that to be saved is that of deliverance.  Deliverance from what? Deliverance in the sense that salvation is involved being saved from demonic possession?  They believe that Christians can be "demon" possession by which in reality believers can be oppressed of the devil. So many Pentecostal evangelists conduct camp meetings and revivals for the sole purpose of having such a deliverance ministry.  They have greatly misunderstood that of deliverance when it comes to that of the believer's salvation experience.  Even though deliverance involved salvation but it is God rescuing sinners from the guilt and penalty of sin (Rom. 6:23).  The word "saved" implies that of deliverance, safety, and rescued.  The first part of the word "deliverance" refers to being delivered from the guilt and penalty of sin by which it implies spiritual death. Man being a sinner by nature is prone to sinning by which the penalty of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a).  The latter two words that refers to the idea of salvation is that God serves as a Lifeguard in "rescuing" of sinners from the danger of sin's destruction (Jn. 3:36).  It is so important that people understand clearly the true biblical meaning of salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).
  Throughout this article I will entitled this particular article, "What Does It Mean to be Saved?" We will look at Romans chapter 10 verses 9 and 10 so as to define what is the true biblical meaning of salvation.  The Greek word "sozo" implies that of deliverance, safety, and rescue (v. 9).  It is very important that we look at the word "saved" according to Romans 10:9 and especially those words that are associated with what the biblical doctrine of salvation.  It is also important for the church to understand biblical words in light of its context. Context rules; not pretext.  So getting back to what is the true biblical meaning of salvation must be understood in light of scripture.  Scripture interprets scripture in light of the standard definition of the Bible (1 Cor. 2:13, 14).  We cannot truly define biblical words (e.g. "saved") according to worldly standards nor its definition.  Spirit taught words must be defined based upon the revelation of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16).  Also the danger of Christian Gnostics in the professing church today is to define spirit taught words based upon such esoteric "knowledge" or spiritual "insight" that are "beyond" the mere words of the Bible.  They anticipate some kind of spiritual "awe" or something that jumps from the pages of scripture to get some "revelation" from within a person's [human] spirit (Deut. 29:29).  The source by which many mystics attain "knowledge" ("gnosis") is within the "spirit" of man; not what is based upon such rational faith. Most Christian Gnostics understanding of salvation or to be saved is to recognize the "spark" of divinity from within (Col. 2:18, 19).  Salvation is through the Person of Jesus Christ; not "mere" knowledge ("gnosis") taught by Christian mystics in the professing church today (Jn. 3:36).
 There is a necessity to look closely at what is the true biblical meaning of salvation in light of scripture (Rom. 10:9, 10).  First, the true meaning of salvation implies that of (1) Deliverance (Rom. 6:23).  (2) the true meaning of salvation implies that of safety. And also (3) the true biblical meaning of salvation refers to the idea of rescued.  As we begin to study by defining the biblical concept of salvation or to be saved in light of the Bible we can see clearly that of its true biblical meaning.
  Let's begin by looking at the word "deliverance" as it implies the true biblical meaning of salvation or to be saved (Rom. 10:9). First, the Greek word "sozo" means to save: that of deliver or protect (literal or figurative). There are other words that are interchangeable with that of the Greek word "sozo": that of heal,  preserve, self (self) do well, be (make) whole. Also the Greek word "sos" means "safe," "delivered." In so many words it means to save, deliver, make whole, preserve safe from danger, loss, destruction.  According to Jude verse 5 Jude reminds his readers of Israel's saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not."  In so many words the Lord sought to "deliver" of the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt but in turn destroyed those who believe not.  There are times by which God physically protect His people from those who do not believe in gospel but in turn judge many professing believers who persist in sin and unbelief (Heb. 6:4-6). When it comes to the idea of "deliverance" or being delivered according to Romans 10:9 it does not refer to that of physical deliverance but to be "delivered" from sin's destruction.  Even though the unsaved are spiritually separated from God as a result of sin but in order for people to be saved from the destruction of sin is to believe all that Jesus Is and that of His resurrection so as to be resurrected by the glory of God (Rom. 10:9).  Mere intellectual assent to biblical truth is not indicative that a person is saved but by the Spirit's conviction that believing sinners adhere to the Gospel so as to receive the gift of salvation (Jn. 3:36; [Jas. 2:14-27]).
  According to Romans 10:9 where it says, "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead you will be saved." The Greek word "sozo" specifically implies that of a person being saved from eternal death, sin, and the punishment and misery consequent to sin.  In order for a person to avoid that of being eternally separated from God is repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36).  Sin separates Man from God, self, and others by which they remain in sin and unbelief.  Sin have in fact cause people to be hardened towards the truth of the gospel by which they persist in unbelief.  According to Romans 6 verse 23 where it says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life."  Each time unbelieving sinners persist in sinning there is an accumulation of wages by which it leads to eternal death.  It is a awful thing for a person to die in sin being banished from the presence of God's divine glory (v. 36).  For people to live a life of sin is to be punished by sin by which it causes people to become miserable.  People who are miserable cannot get along with other people especially those who are saved because they are living a life of sin and misery.  The way by which Man can be restored in his relationship with God, self, and others is to repent of their sins (1 Jn.1:9).
  The Greek word (sos) is to that of salvation so as to receive that of eternal life (Jn. 3:16, 17). Eternal life or to be saved is present tense according to Romans 10:9 but the future tense of salvation is according to John 10:10.  Once a person receive that of Jesus Christ is to experience the present tense of salvation as to receive the gift of eternal life (Lk. 8:12; Jn. 5:34, 10:9).  Even though there are professing Christian teachers who will contend that eternal life is not eternal life if for some reason the saved person "relaps" in faith or to stop believing in Christ.  In so many words as long as a person endures to the end they will be saved.  As believers we are not responsible for our salvation nor can the believer work in order to maintain their salvation. Our salvation is secured in Christ based upon His finished work of the cross. If in fact Christ's death on the cross cannot secure that of the believer's salvation than Christ died in vain. Also there is nothing that the believer can do to undo that by which Christ saved us.  Our salvation is not based upon what is conditional but what is unconditional by which God's love is unfathomable (Jn. 3:16). Even though there are times by which many of us as believers go wayward in our walk with the Lord but we must make daily confession of our sin before the Lord (Jn. 1:9). Sin does not affect the believer's salvation experience but it in turn affect that of their fellowship (1 Jn. 1:9).  For those professing Christian teachers who contend that the believer can live "free" from sin is to deceive one's own self (1 Jn. 1:8).
  As believers we can be assured that we have both the confidence and the security of our salvation (2 Cor. 5:17; Jn. 10:28-29).  Once again there is nothing that the believer can do by undoing that by which Christ have saved us. Our salvation is secured in Jesus Christ based upon the finished work of Christ's on the cross. Christ's death on the cross are efficacious to secure that of the believer's salvation experience.  We can rejoice in the fact that God has chosen us unto salvation (Eph. 1:3-11).
  In conclusion is that when it comes to the true biblical meaning of salvation is that to be saved is from the guilt and penalty of sin (Rom. 6:23).  Our salvation in Jesus Christ is the present tense of salvation as well as its future tense of salvation (Rom. 10:9; Jn. 10:10). Also the salvation of the believer is a one-way ticket to heaven in order to appear before the presence and glory of the Lord (Jn. 3:36).  When it comes to the past, present, and future tense of salvation is that the believing sinners is saved,  are being saved, and will be saved from time into eternity (Rom. 10:9;  [Rom. 8:28-32]; Jn. 10:10).  We are kept by the power of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Glory to God for our salvation!


Rev. Darryl L. Miller, president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries," in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?  He is also the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs regularly 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons.com.  As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world.  Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
  

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