Question 4: What does it mean to “get saved”?

It’s a phrase we hear a lot, it seems, when people are talking about God. But what does it mean? That’s what we’re looking at this week, in answer to questions you asked.

After you read it, I’m curious… How does this compare to what you’ve been thinking?

– Rich

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “GET SAVED”?
October 15, 2006

1. It’s not about joining a religion.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4 (NLT)

2. It’s not about trying to be good.

How can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. – Isaiah 64:5-6 (NLT)

For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. – Romans 3:23-24 (NLT)

3. It’s not about believing the right things.

Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all – it is dead and useless. … Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds. – James 2:17, 26 (NLT)

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder. – James 2:19 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. – John 3:36 (NIV)

So… what does it mean to get saved?

The Bible uses lots of different images…
Political – Jesus ransomed/rescued us from the kingdom of darkness
(Mark 10:45; Colossians 1:13; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Religious – Jesus as perfect high priest/sacrifice for our sin
(Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 John 2:1-2)
Legal – Jesus bore penalty for sin, so we are declared “not guilty”
(Romans 5:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24)
Mystical – We are united with Christ, “in Christ” / Jesus as second Adam
(1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-4)
Family – We are adopted into God’s family, given an inheritance
(John 1:12; Ephesians 1:5, 18; Ephesians 2:19-20)
Resurrection – We were dead in sin, now alive in Christ
(John 5:24; Ephesians 2:1-10)

So… “Getting saved” is about what God does for us, not what we do for him. It means we are rescued from sin and death so we can experience the fullness of life in God’s kingdom by trusting and following Jesus Christ.

Later on, after John was arrested by Herod Antipas, Jesus went to Galilee to preach God’s Good News. “At last the time has come!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!” – Mark 1:14-15 (NLT)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! – John 1:12-13 (NLT)

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:37-38 (NIV)

So what do I do?
1. Turn from my sins.
2. Turn to God.