Saved. You have heard the term. What is it? What dose it mean? How do you know that you are saved and can you be sure?

We have discussed Christ, sin, grace, the Cross and other subjects. But what is "saved"? Have you ever been in a church service or in a conversation and someone asks "are you saved"? Could you be in any type of danger that you need a physical salvation? Or is it more of a spiritual nature? Is it forgiveness? The topic is something that exists, for the most part, only in the Christian community. In Luke, when Jesus was born, the angels told the shepherds that in the city of David, a Savior was born and He is Christ the Lord. What dose a Savior do and why do we need one?

You know that the Bible refers to sin. Sin can be called a "spiritual cancer". Sin encompasses all the behavior patterns, actions, and attitudes that do not measure up to what God expects from his people. Both Old and New testaments refer repeatedly to the universality of sin. From the day the Garden's first tenants picked and ate from the tree that God commanded them not to, sin has separated us from God. But God, knowing that would happen, put a plan in motion, through His Son, to bring us back. The Bible states many times the fact that all men sin and have become as one who is unclean. God not being able to be in the presence of sin, uses the blood of His Son Jesus to cover us and our sin. So that when we stand before God, He only views the blood of His Son.

All people sin. We are all guilty. But when or what point in our life do we act? There are those who claim that even a baby is born in sin and is guilty. Really, how? Do we not need to have some type of real, rational understanding of right and wrong? As a child, what did you understand? As you grew and matured you got to a point where you began to understand right, wrong and the consequences of your behavior. As you are now older, then what is your reaction to sin? Denial? It is "not my fault". Possibly, you even deny the reality of sin? If there is no sin, then anything goes. Then why have any laws? Sometimes we try to rationalize our actions. I might be doing wrong but is not as bad as that guy over there. Or, I have done more good things than bad so I convince myself that I am safe. Some times due to reasons, such a guilt, we procrastinate doing anything at all about our sins. While others simply pretend to be perfect. They are good and moral people. Like Mary Poppins, they are practically perfect in every way. Hear and speak and see no evil. Good people go to church but see no reason to get all fanatical about it.

But we see in the Bible that sin destroys our relationship and separates us from God. God is light, John says, and in Him is no darkness. Sin deprives us of our personal freedom. We become in essence, a slave to sin. We want to have our own way. In Romans Paul writes that the wages of sin is death. So sin is a killer. We can not hide our sin. Moses told the people that they can be sure that their sin will be found out.

Please note that in all the above discussion, there needs to be a rational understanding. So how can a baby, an infant, or a child comprehend the topic? Let alone the need to do anything about it.

So then, if we have the sin what do we do about it? If we all have sin then we can not save ourselves, let alone someone else. We need a Savior. We need Jesus as a Savior because he is the only one qualified to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin. In Acts, Peter said salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. The Bible uses three expressions to describe what Jesus dose in helping us with the problem of sin. He enables us to receive forgiveness in 1 John 1:9, He makes sure our sins are wiped out, Acts 3:19 and He washes them away in Acts 22:16.

Do you recognize guilt or do you avoid or dismiss it? Do you have a false sense of security or do you want something genuine and real? Plus through what Jesus did on the cross, our sins can be obliterated from the sight of God. We are able to stand before our creator. Add the act of grace and then in reality, we are able to once again return to live with God, back in the garden.

Now if you are beginning to understand the sin and error you have done in your life and if you are starting to understand that you need something bigger than yourself to remove or save you from that sin, the Holy Spirit is starting to work in your life. You are beginning to realize and be convicted of your sin. You have in essence, "heard" the words I wrote. Do not quench the Spirit. Allow God to work in your life. Pray. Study. Go back to read the past messages if you like. But even if you never were to read my words or ever attend a church service, God, through the Holy Spirit, is powerful enough to work in your life.

What is next? You are beginning to understand the mistakes, errors and sin in your life. You know you need to do something. Because of your searching for truth you realize you need to make a decision. You WILL make one! You feel that, as God is working in your life, you have to decide which step to take next. In reality, do you follow Christ or stay in your sin? If you do not serve, trust and obey God, you then make a choice to follow the devil. Remember you will make a choice. You can not serve two masters. You will love one and despise the other. You are getting to the point in your life where you can no longer deny it. You can not dismiss it. You need a Savior.

Now what? We have confessed to ourselves and others that we have followed the world. We have claimed to have another God. Be it nature, money, job, spouse, or even, though we never stated that we serve the devil, it sure has not been God or the Christ! So now, confess it. If you realize you need a Savior and you need Jesus, state it. If you are now realizing who and what Jesus is, then confess it. If you have studied the scripture and seen the evidence, state it. Announce your belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Then repent of what you have done wrong. Turn from it. You will not be able to do it alone and you know it. Accept the grace. Trust in Jesus. You can know for sure that you will not have to do it alone. Allow the Holy Spirit to come into your life as a helper and a counselor. Make every step you can to turn from the old life and into a new life with a new mission. You have a new master. You are no longer bound to this world. Trust Him. He tells you that His burden is light. He will never leave or forsake you. Turn from the old ways. Run to him. Be joy filled. Each day will be new. He will be with you.

Now what? Recall our past discussion on baptism? It is a washing and a cleansing. You are going down into the water an old person loaded down with sin. Then, that old person is buried. But you come up out of that water a new person. You have followed the example of Jesus. You have completed what the apostles told others to do once they realized the sin and the need for salvation in their life. You have confessed who Jesus is. You have repented of your sin filed old life and have turned from it. Now through the act of baptism, you have put on Christ. You have accepted His love and let His blood from the cross cover your sins. You have been reborn. You are a new creature. You are no longer part of this world.

Now finally, you need to accept it. Grab hold of the grace. Your previous master will try to get you back. Keep close to God. Claim the power of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit. You will discover you have, through them, the ability to resist your old way. You will find you will always have a path to flee from the temptations. Keep studying. Keep praying. God will be new every day so recommit your life to Him every day.

As you read all this I simply want to plant the seed in your life as you search for truth. It is not for my glory. I turn this over to God to work in your life. Not every one will turn and follow. Remember that narrow is the way that leads to salvation. That means there is a multi-lane expressway that leads in the other direction. God simply asks you to trust Him. Change your mind about the way you have been living. I ask and challenge you to try the life of a Christian. Let Him come into your life. See if your entire life is not changed. You will look on everything differently. You will find a weight lifted from your life. You will have help to face the challenges.

The world tries to understand the joy and peace we have in Christ. But they can not. To them all this "God Stuff" sounds too good to be true. To them, it is foolishness. But God wants us. He wants us to come back to Him. He will not force anyone. He will allow a person to believe a lie and to trust in the world. He gives you that freedom, even though it breaks His heart.

But now, right this moment, do you believe His promises are real? Do you feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit? Is Jesus taking your hand to guide you? I said a moment ago you will make a decision. It is time. You need to chose which one.