By: Mark Staples Written: August 1986 Edited and Expanded: December 2001 Has anyone ever asked

you if you were saved? If so, have you ever asked yourself, Saved from what? This article will attempt to articulate what it means to be saved and what we are saved from. Growing up I was taught that becoming a Christian or getting saved was merely praying a prayer to God, asking forgiveness for sin and receiving Christ as Savior. However, as Ive studied the scripture more closely, this is only a part of what it means to be saved. Receiving Christ as Savior and asking Him for forgiveness for sins is a start. The scripture says that anyone who believes in His (Jesus) name has been given the right, authority, and power to become a child of God. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12 NIVUS) But having the right, authority, and power doesnt make you a child of God; it just positions and empowers you. It isnt until you actually appropriate this right and authority that you become a child of God. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:12-14 NAS95)

S SI IN N,, I IN NI IQ QU UI IT TY Y,, & &T TR RA AN NS SG GR RE ES SS SI IO ON N

Sin, iniquity, and transgression are oftentimes used interchangeably. However, the three words are clearly different. The following are three Greek words that are translated to be sin. 1) anomia anomia an-om-ee-ah 1) the condition of without law 1a) because ignorant of it 1b) because of violating it 2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness 2) amartia hamartia ham-ar-tee-ah 1) equivalent to amartanw hamartano ham-ar-tan-o 1a) to be without a share in 1b) to miss the mark 1c) to err, be mistaken 1d) to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong

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1e) to wander from the law of God, violate Gods law, sin 2) that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act 3) collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many 3) adikia adikia ad-ee-kee-ah 1) injustice, of a judge 2) unrighteousness of heart and life 3) a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness Each of these words represents different aspects of sin and lawlessness. Depending upon the translation, the words are translated in various ways. Anomia (anomia) is a contempt or violation of the law. This equating to the fact that active disobedience to the law shows contempt for the law. Hamartia (amartia) is an archery term indicating missing the mark intentionally or accidentally. Hamartia keeps us from having a share in the inheritance of God. Adikia (adikia) deals with the condition of the heart and its expression in the lifestyle literally the act of unrighteousness. The Bible equates the works of our flesh with unrighteousness. The flesh, or our natural desires, is in total opposition with the things of God, or the Spirit. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NAS95) For from within, out of a persons heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God." (Mark 7:21-23 NLT) Areas of our life that are known to us to be sin must be turned away from and forsaken, not merely controlled. God, speaking to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land, commanded them to drive out the enemies not subdue them. Numbers 33:55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live. Time doesnt permit a full exposition of the above scripture, but suffice it say that when we allow anything in our life that is displeasing to the Lord, it will become trouble for us at a later time in our lives.

A AL LL LH HA AV VE ES SI IN NN NE ED D
The scripture declares that there is no one that hasnt sinned, no one that is righteous. In this day of self-improvement and positive self-image, there is the notion that there is good in everyone and that this goodness is what will enable us to be justified to spend eternity in heaven with God. Its all a matter of our good works out-weighing the bad. The only problem with this thinking is Author: Mark Staples Page 2 of 12 What Does It Mean To Be Saved

that God doesnt agree with it. All of us fall short of what God requires for us to fellowship with Him and to spend eternity in His presence. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:19-24 NIVUS) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Romans 3:10-12 NIVUS) All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6 NIVUS) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9 NIVUS) No amount of good deeds or religious ceremony can make us righteous enough. Jesus told a parable of two men in the temple, one was justifying himself based on his religious ceremony and the other was crying to God asking for mercy because he was a sinner. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: God, I thank you that I am not like other men robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner. "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14 NIVUS) The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalms 51:17)

R RE EP PE EN NT TA AN NC CE E
Throughout all of the scripture, weve been commanded to turn away from sin and turn to God. This act of turning away from sin to God is called repentance. Lets take a look at the messages that John the Baptist, Jesus, and Jesus disciples preached: J JO OH HN NT TH HE EB BA AP PT TI IS ST T In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." Johns clothes were made of camels hair, and he had a leather Author: Mark Staples Page 3 of 12 What Does It Mean To Be Saved

belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:1-8 NIVUS) J JE ES SU US S Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47 NIVUS) D ES S LE PL CI IP SC IS DI On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter stood up, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and preached about a man who was crucified, but was now alive risen from the dead. Peter, himself, was an eyewitness of Jesus life, His death, and His resurrection. Peter also told the crowd that this was not an ordinary man who had come back from the dead, but that God had made Him both Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah). At this the crowd responded, What shall we do? Peter told them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. He also warned them, save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Acts 2:38 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 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord... Unless we repent, we cannot receive the forgiveness of sin. In every case, repentance is set first in the order before forgiveness. Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that Gods kindness leads you toward repentance? 2 Timothy 2:25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Revelation 2:5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.

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All of them preached repentance as a prerequisite to coming to God. Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repentance is translated from the Greek word, metanoew metanoeo metan-o-eh-o It means: 1) to change ones mind, i.e. to repent 2) to change ones mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of ones past sins. Practically, it means to change my mind about my life and forsake all that is against the things of God. The abhorrence of our past sins can only be done when weve truly understood the holiness of God and His righteous requirements. It is also not a one-time act or decision, but an attitude of the heart and a way of life. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. (Isaiah 30:15 NIVUS) Repentance is a daily forsaking the path of sin and unbelief a continuous walk on the path of righteousness. We must forsake all known sin, get off the path that leads us to sin, turn to God and walk on the path of righteousness. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. (Isaiah 35:8 NIVUS)

S SE ET TF FR RE EE EF FR RO OM MT TH HE EP PO OW WE ER RO OF FS SI IN N
Christ came to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin. When we make a decision to repent and seek Gods forgiveness through the works of His Son Jesus, He will grant us the power and authority to become children of God. But as many as received Him, to them He gave authority to become children of God, to the ones believing into His name, (John 1:12 LIT) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6 NIVUS) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, (1 Peter 3:18 NIVUS) Jesus Christ became a sin offering for us so that that penalty for sin would be met in Him for us. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Romans 8:1-9 NAS95)

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That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:9-13 NIVUS) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:4-10 NIVUS) Once we put our trust in Christ and His sacrifice, we are set free from sin and its penalty we are saved. The Spirit of Life empowers us to put to death the fleshly deeds that bring forth death. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25 NAS95) However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Romans 8:9 NAS95) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 NAS95) So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:12-14 NAS95) So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by Gods grace. (Romans 6:11-14 NLT)

W WH HA AT TI IS SG GR RA AC CE E? ?
The word grace is used 122 times in the King James Bible, 114 times in the New American Standard Bible, 125 in Greens Literal translation, and 115 times in the New International Version. It is translated from the Greek word, cariv charis khar-ece. We derive our words charisma and character from this word. These words indicate some form of influence.

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1) grace 1a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech 2) good will, loving-kindness, favour 2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues 2b) figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life 2c) the power of God to do His will. 3) what is due to grace 3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace 3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit 3b1) a gift of grace 3b2) benefit, bounty 4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward The traditional teaching that grace is unmerited favor is actually incorrect. The reality is everything we receive from God is unmerited favor. The traditional teaching of grace is more in line with mercy, receiving favor from God without deserving it. Therefore, when viewed in context, grace would be best translated, the power of God to do His will or Divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life. In short, Gods influence of His character on our lives. ...through whom we have received grace (influence of Gods character) and apostleship to bring about [the] obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His names sake, (Romans 1:5) ...being justified as a gift by His grace (influence of Gods character) through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (Romans 3:24) For this reason [it is] by faith, in order that [it may be] in accordance with grace (influence of Gods character), so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (Romans 4:16) But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace (influence of Gods character) of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. (Romans 5:15) The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace (influence of Gods character) abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace (influence of Gods character) would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20-21 NAS95) But if it is by grace (influence of Gods character), it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. (Romans 11:6) For by grace (influence of Gods character) you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NAS95) Author: Mark Staples Page 7 of 12 What Does It Mean To Be Saved

For the grace (influence of Gods character) of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (Titus 2:11-13 NAS95) These scriptures, and many more, make no sense if grace is only referring to undeserved favor. It is Gods active role our lives that makes it possible to walk with Him. He is actively influencing our lives by His Spirit, conforming us to His image and likeness. This is why the apostle Paul declares that if we seek to be righteous in accordance with external influences (the law), we have fallen from grace. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4 NAS95) We cannot fall from His unmerited favor because His favor falls on everyone. But we can fall or stray from His influence. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; (1 Peter 3:18 NAS95) ...so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45 NAS95) For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6 NAS95) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, (Matthew 24:10 NIVUS) See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? (Hebrews 12:25 NIVUS) Nevertheless, Gods solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." (2 Timothy 2:19 NIVUS)

G GO OD DS SE EE EK KS SA AR RE EL LA AT TI IO ON NS SH HI IP PW WI IT TH HU US S
God seeks for a relationship with us. Much like a close friendship or a marriage, each member of the relationship influences the other. In the case of the believer, as we actively walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and are willing to submit to His Lordship, His influence (or grace) on our lives changes us to become like Himself. Our role is to draw near to Him, submit to Him, and then become obedient to His commands. (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:19 NAS95)

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Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8 NAS95) "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Fathers who sent Me. (John 14:21-24 NAS95) And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commands. The one saying, I have known Him, and not keeping His commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that one. But whoever keeps His word, truly in this one the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:3-5 LIT) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:2-3 NAS95) So, we can see that we must submit to God and be obedient to His commands. By doing so, we demonstrate that we are His child. We dont become His child by trying to be good, we become His child allowing His influence to change us. It is God working in us that makes us righteous. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:1213 NAS95) "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:26-27 NAS95) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 NAS95) ...and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. (Jeremiah 32:39 NAS95) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NAS95) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 NAS95)

C CO ON NC CL LU US SI IO ON N
What does it mean to be saved? It means to be released from the power of sin and death, given the power of God to walk in obedience and become righteous in body, soul, and spirit, and escape the corruption of this world. Author: Mark Staples Page 9 of 12 What Does It Mean To Be Saved

2 Peter 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8 NAS95) ..that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, (Ephesians 4:22 NAS95) It means that we have been given a new nature one that is fitted in the likeness and image of Christ. So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17 LIT) And as we bore the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. (1 Corinthians 15:49 LIT) ...and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:13-18 NAS95) and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him (Colossians 3:10 NAS95) For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, (Romans 6:5 NAS95) So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:17-24 NAS95) If you have never experienced this kind of relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, then maybe you have never come to Him on His terms. If not, let me encourage you to examine yourself and see if you are really in the faith. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NIVUS) Author: Mark Staples Page 10 of 12 What Does It Mean To Be Saved

Just because you may go to church, teach a Sunday school class, prayed a prayer asking God to forgive you, doesnt make you in right standing with the God of the universe and creator of your soul. He requires that you repent and completely submit to His Lordship. Begin to allow Him to empower you over the sin and have fellowship with Him through active prayer and Bible reading. Ultimately it comes down to a total surrender of our rights over to Him and a purposeful, steady pursuit of Him. Jeremiah 29:13 And you shall seek and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. (Psalms 119:1011 NAS95) "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil. (Joel 2:12-13 NAS95) Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled. Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? Psalms 84:2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:29-34 NIVUS) And Jesus answered him, the first of all the commandments is: "Hear, Israel. The Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul" and with all your mind, "and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. Deut. 6:4, 5 (Mark 12:29-30 LIT) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and Author: Mark Staples Page 11 of 12 What Does It Mean To Be Saved

lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; (Hebrews 12:1-4 NAS95) More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:8-14 NAS95) Psalms 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of the ones who fear Him; and He will hear their cry and save them. Will you be saved? Will you come to Jesus Christ? Will you lose your life so that you can gain eternal life? Will you turn to the living God to find true life now? Will you turn to the loving Creator in order for you to find your true purpose in life? If you arent passionately pursuing God and the life that He requires, then you stand to fail the test of being in the faith. There isnt anything in this life that can measure up to the life that is in Christ Jesus. Come to Him! Come away with Him! Find rest for your soul! He awaits you as a bridegroom awaits His bride. Come to Him! He loves you. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. (Psalms 119:72-73 NIVUS) "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11 NIVUS) For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. (Psalms 89:6-8 NIVUS) O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. (Psalms 89:8 NIVUS) No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. (Jeremiah 10:6 NIVUS) ..."This is the one I esteem (show grace): he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2 NIVUS) Parenthetical words in red are mine for clarification.

Author: Mark Staples

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What Does It Mean To Be Saved