Like many things in christian circles, biblical phrases and terms become mere cliches from the depths of ignorance. Thus, I've found that many people lump the phrase, "I'm saved," with another phrase, "I'm born again." The two posses some correlation but are certainly different in it's meaning and significance. In this article, I will provide you with the true biblical meaning of what it means to be saved. Along the way, I will show you what it means to be born again and then close out the article looking at some prophecies that will put the term " saved" in view.

"Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:1-13 NASB

The basic gospel message of Christ was preached by many evangelists in the past using these passages from the Bible. Evangelists today, however, preach that God loves sinners, causing the meaning of the phrase "saved" to be lost. This is because the basic gospel has been so perverted. What does the Greek word that underlies the English phrase "Saved" imply, then?

The word "Saved" comes from the Greek word "sōzō." This Greek word means: to rescue from danger or destruction. If we look at how the word is used else where we will grasp the main understanding of the term so let's take a look at a few Scriptures:

"And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish."

Matthew 8:23-25 KJV

It should be clear from the context that the disciples were afraid of dying on the sea during the severe storm. As a result, they called out to Jesus and asked to be delivered from the peril they were facing. Additionally, note that they did not use the term "saved" as a cliches like Christians do today. It begs the question of what imminent threat this world is facing without any knowledge.

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Matthew 24:3-13 KJV.

This is a prophetic statement from Jesus concerning the last days of this current age. Alot of things will be taking place on Earth that many believers should understand but it is the last statement that you should focus on. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." The danger that one will face in this time that is described here will be hard for anyone but Jesus is providing a warning so we must listen. And those who endure in this time they will be saved.

"Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him (God) deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God."

Matthew 27:41-43 KJV.

Jesus is hanging from the pole that the Romans placed his beaten body—experiencing injuries leading to his death—and the Chief priest mocks Jesus telling him that he saved others from their impending dangers but could not save himself. Very foolish to do but it is what it is. They had no clue what the plan of God was and so they were blind to what Jesus' purpose was in that plan.

I could show you many more scripture verses but what I have shown you proves the point that the term "saved" has specific meaning. Later in this article I will show you the impeding danger that true bleievers are saved from and how sinners would do good to understand how to remove themselves out of this coming danger.

The term "Born Again" can be found in Jesus' conversation with a man called Nicodemus. Let's take a look at that conversation and gain insight into the term.

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

John 3:1-7 KJV

Given the context of the discourse, it should be evident that Jesus is not referring to bodily engendering, which is what the Greek word that the KJV translator translates as "born" means. Jesus is referring to being "engendered" above by God and not below by the will of man. But notice that if you are not engendered above by God then you "...cannot see the kingdom of God." And what he is saying there is you can not mentally perceive the promise that comes via the belief in Jesus Christ who is the promise. When a person is engendered by God he becomes privy to the fact that he/she is the target of God's impending wrath. That is because they realize that their sins makes them the target of that wrath. Suddenly as they hear the basic message of the gospel that the evangelist is supposed to preach, they begin to sense that God is going to destroy them because of the wicked things that they have down to God and their fellow man. This fear is what Solomon calls the beginning of wisdom. Once a person is truly born again (engendered above) the Apostle John says this in 1 John 5:18, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." I'll let you and those who are not born again grapple the meaning of what John has said. But while you do let me show you another thing he said to add fuel to the fire:

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 1 John 3:9 KJV.

For those who have that "Once saved always saved" mentality let those two statements sink in deep. Those who cease from sin are the ones who are born of God and those who do not are not. And how is one born of God?

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

1 Peter 1:18-23.

It is belief in the word of God that brings about the miraculous engendering above and that miracle opens the eyes of the mind so you can see the truth of the Living Word that God is. That Living word also brings about another miracle. The miracle to provide the ability for true believers to live a sinless life. This is why those who state that it is impossible for true believers to cease from sin are struggling. They are still blind to the truth due to believing the lie that says it is impossible for God's word to totally transform you. They are of the devil their father.

Lastly, here is the warning of the danger that the world is facing which has been stated by the Apostle Peter.

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Peter 3:3-13 KJV.

Shalom!