Salvation? What does it really mean?

 

                                                      What does Saved mean?

 

God’s word is true and through the Holy Spirit has changed many hearts. My own wounded heart that felt trampled upon through lies and betrayal   was changed many years ago when I picked up the Bible and wanted to learn the truth. What was this Born-again experience all about? What did it mean? I kept hearing the question, “Are you saved?” Back then I thought to myself, saved from what? Saved? I had a little girl come up to me and ask, “Are you a Christian?” That stopped me in my tracks to begin to think, was I? I guessed so, but that was not a good answer. They were all seeds sprinkled in my life that took ground in fertile soil in my heart, but I did not know what was going on. God’s seed can be like the tip of an arrow that pushes through the hardness of those walls that a hard life of abuse and rejection has brought, that only the Holy Spirit can penetrate. When this happens, His truth begins to rise within us when we discover His all-consuming power of His love, His name is Jesus. Our eyes are miraculously opened with understanding as we say a resounding YES to His call.

When this happens, healing begins! His love begins to heal your heart of all those dark past wounds.

“Oh Jesus! How I love You, I cried!”

The Bible says He loved us before we knew Him. How can anyone love us when we are knee deep in the sins of the world? He knew me before the foundation of the world. To try to describe God’s loving mercies and forgiveness can be a difficult task because He is Holy. And, when we think about Him being Holy, think about His son being Holy and sinless when He went to the cross for us. He has many names, and one is called “The Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world. He chose obedience over self. In fact, when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane to the Father, He sweated blood. He knew what was up ahead, as crucifixions were common in those days. Before He went to the cross, they whipped him 39 times by a cat o nine tails which were either spikes on types of balls or shells. Think about it, 9X39 = 351 stripes upon his back. They spit upon Him, punched Him, and plucked out His beard and mockingly placed a crown of thorns upon his head and yet, Jesus followed through and was moved by the Love of The Father in Him, so we could have forgiveness for our sins.

Finally,

When you decide to put away all the worldly wisdom and knowledge you have accumulated into your life that justifies and reasons why our world is falling apart but doesn’t really make any sense begin to ask yourself, why isn’t the world’s knowledge giving you peace? Above all, when you humble yourself and admit that just maybe the world’s answers are not working, it is now time for you to seek the truth in God’s word. Find out for yourself. Open the Bible and begin by reading the book of John. Be open to what it says. Listen to the Spirit. When you humbly accept Jesus as your Savior, acknowledging that He is the Son of God and ask Him to forgive your sins you are born again and will experience the new birth. Looking back, I can remember that first moment my eyes were opened to the truth! The words leaped out of the pages and into my heart. I was overwhelmed by God’s irresistible love. I previously had an identity problem I did not know who I was or where I came from. When Jesus was Lord, I learned who I was in Christ. As I read, studied, and prayed, the reality of the truth within me began to grow and do a big work inside of me. I became a new creature in Christ and the old creature left. I am not the same person I once was. I began to walk the road of learning how to be an Overcomer.

“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort] but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. Ep.2:8-9 amp.

“Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” John 14:6 Kj.

Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above-spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God” John 3:3 amp.

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2Co. 5:17 Kj.

Pray with me:

Heaven Father,

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, was crucified taking all my sins upon that cross and on the third day He arose and was seen by over 600 people as He preached. I believe He was ascended to heaven and seen by witnesses while angels told them, “This same Jesus that you see ascending will return in the same way.” I believe and I thank You for Your truth and I thank You for opening my eyes. I ask that You forgive my sins: [name them]. I repent Father. Heal my mind, my emotions, my selfish motives, all my offenses, unbelief, doubt, greed, pride, vanity, and anything that has displeased You; I ask for Your merciful forgiveness and kindness. Remove it all from my heart. I ask that Your Holy Spirit guide and direct my life in my heart, mind, and soul. Send me to Your perfect place where I can befriend those who love You too and help me grow. Give me the understanding I need and the wisdom on my journey to follow this through. In Jesus name I ask, amen.

 

If you have prayed that prayer from your heart in repentance, the Bible declares you have been born-again and now are in the family of God. Buy a good Bible to study [thrift shops give them away free], make some new friends who will help you grow and will pray for you when trials come and attend a good Bible believing church. Welcome!