Faith Talk: 'Saved' from confusion
Megan Passarell
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Campus Talk
Dear Faith Talk,
I didn't grow up in church, but I am not opposed to learning about Christianity. I have some friends who are Christians, and hear a lot of different words being thrown around I never encountered before. The most commonly-used term I don't understand is "saved." What exactly do Christians mean by the word "saved"?
- Jargon Jerry
Dear Jerry,
Let me say that what I write comes from life experiences, what I believe and from the best way I know how to answer this question. I am not the authority for all answers. My goal is to be a resource and give my opinion.
I can relate to this question. I did not grow up in church, and in fact, no one in my family is Christian. It wasn't until I was around 20 when I started seeking answers. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to ask this question when I first went to church. This word, along with others, was new to my vernacular.
First, let me tell you where the term "saved" comes from. The word can be seen in this scripture reference, Romans 9:13, which says, "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."
When Christians use the term "saved" they are referring to a time in their lives when they confessed that Jesus was someone they wanted to follow, and believed He is God, who died for their sins (lusting, stealing, lying, etc.). It also means they believe He was raised from the dead after bearing the weight of everything we had done and would do (the sin), and He covered all of it when He died (to provide us with salvation). It gives a promise saying you will never be sorry you made this decision, blessings come from this act of faith, and there is no favoritism. Everyone who seeks Jesus and believes His word to be true is "saved."
In short, since God wishes that not a single soul should perish, the opposite of perishing would be being saved. God wants us to know Him. He wants to give us a joy that transcends all understanding. God wants us saved from hell and from the heartache of not knowing our Creator.
Amidst all the weird lingo and crazy jargon, there really is a hope that is the anchor for your soul. It took me a while to sort through all the nonsense, but in the end I'm glad I was "saved."
I didn't grow up in church, but I am not opposed to learning about Christianity. I have some friends who are Christians, and hear a lot of different words being thrown around I never encountered before. The most commonly-used term I don't understand is "saved." What exactly do Christians mean by the word "saved"?
- Jargon Jerry
Dear Jerry,
Let me say that what I write comes from life experiences, what I believe and from the best way I know how to answer this question. I am not the authority for all answers. My goal is to be a resource and give my opinion.
I can relate to this question. I did not grow up in church, and in fact, no one in my family is Christian. It wasn't until I was around 20 when I started seeking answers. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to ask this question when I first went to church. This word, along with others, was new to my vernacular.
First, let me tell you where the term "saved" comes from. The word can be seen in this scripture reference, Romans 9:13, which says, "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."
When Christians use the term "saved" they are referring to a time in their lives when they confessed that Jesus was someone they wanted to follow, and believed He is God, who died for their sins (lusting, stealing, lying, etc.). It also means they believe He was raised from the dead after bearing the weight of everything we had done and would do (the sin), and He covered all of it when He died (to provide us with salvation). It gives a promise saying you will never be sorry you made this decision, blessings come from this act of faith, and there is no favoritism. Everyone who seeks Jesus and believes His word to be true is "saved."
In short, since God wishes that not a single soul should perish, the opposite of perishing would be being saved. God wants us to know Him. He wants to give us a joy that transcends all understanding. God wants us saved from hell and from the heartache of not knowing our Creator.
Amidst all the weird lingo and crazy jargon, there really is a hope that is the anchor for your soul. It took me a while to sort through all the nonsense, but in the end I'm glad I was "saved."
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