Dear Anonymous,

This is a wonderful question that all believers should be able to answer. In the Greek, the word “saved” is Sozo meaning to deliver or protect, heal, preserve, do well, be (made) whole. It’s a powerful word. It’s why God’s son Jesus came into this world! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Sin is what we need to be saved or delivered from. When we are saved or delivered, it covers all aspects of sin and it affects our past, present, and future. The word saved simply refers to the relationship a believer has with Jesus Christ. When we are saved or delivered, we have the guarantee of heaven, and saved from eternal damnation in hell. When we are saved, we are sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, are seen as righteous in the eyes of the Lord, and will be with God in heaven one day! That is why He went to the cross taking our sin upon Himself so we can be free from the bondages of the devil.

When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and Lord, we are saved from the penalty of sin because Jesus paid for our sin on the cross and was raised from the dead. Romans 10:9,10:  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Believe means to have confidence in and trust in Jesus Christ the Son of God. This believing process is for the whole world!

Romans 10:13: For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

Getting saved is a free gift. We cannot buy it nor work for it. Ephesians 2:8,9: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

We hear the term saving faith which means that we personally trust Jesus Christ to deliver us from God’s judgment by what He did for us on the cross and rose again. When we get saved, it means our past — we have been saved from the penalty of sin and we are justified (just as if it never happened). Our present — we are being saved from the power and presence of sin and are being sanctified (set apart). Our future — we will be glorified.

I hope this helps. Saved means having an abundant life with Jesus, not just someday, but today and forever. I pray that if you are not saved, you ask Jesus into your heart this very day.