Artwork by Daniel Venturo
There are many terms that Christians use that can be confusing for people who did not grow up in Church, or who have not themselves accepted Christ as their Savior. For example, Christians often refer to Christianity as "salvation." Talking about conversion, they may say something like, “I was saved” or “I got saved.” But what does that mean? What are Christians saved from? Why do you need to be saved?
The answer is simple: because you are in terrible danger. The Bible says that God is holy (I Peter 1:16) and perfectly just (Deuteronomy 32:4), meaning He cannot tolerate sin. His justice does not allow Him to just love and forgive everybody even though they have committed crimes against Him. Rather, He must punish those who break His Law, which can be summarized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-17; Deuteronomy 5:7-21). His punishment for sin is death forever in the fire of Hell (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).
So, you need to be saved (or rescued, or delivered) from God’s wrath.
Thankfully, because God is as merciful and loving as He is just, He provided a Savior. That Savior is Jesus, God in the flesh, Who died on a cruel Cross in the place of guilty sinners. After being buried, He rose from the dead, defeating death. God can justly grant mercy to sinners because Jesus took our punishment—He paid our fine (II Corinthians 5:21)! Those who repent (turn from their sin) and trust in Jesus receive the gift of eternal life (Mark 1:14-15: John 3:16). Not only this, but Jesus transforms you from the inside out, and you become a new person who desires to do God’s will (II Corinthians 5:17). You will find peace, hope, and joy through a relationship with Christ (Romans 15:13), and you no longer have to fear death (Hebrews 2:14-15)!
Will you come to Jesus before it is too late? You may not have tomorrow, and it will be too late after you die. Fall on the mercy of God and trust in Jesus today.
