What does it mean to be saved?
Faith in Jesus Christ restores us to a right relationship with God.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
The Bible tells us that each and every human being has sinned and is separated from God (Romans 3:23). This separation produces both physical and spiritual death (Romans 6:23), ultimately resulting in eternal judgment (Matthew 25:41). But God’s love is so great that He sent His Son to provide forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16).
The death and resurrection of Jesus are what make it possible for us to be saved. He was our substitute, dying for our place (2 Corinthians 5:21). He fully paid the penalty of death that was due us for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). He reconciled us to God, ending the separation between us (Romans 5:10-11). He has raised us to newness of life in the here and now and everlasting life in the hereafter (Romans 6:8-11).
We receive salvation as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9), by putting our faith not in any good deeds or religious rituals (Galatians 5:5-6), but in the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf (John 6:29).
Each individual is responsible to make a decision to receive Jesus as their own personal savior (John 1:12). We do so by inviting Christ into our lives in prayer (Revelation 3:20).