What does it mean to be saved? Who decides who has been saved? What do you have to do to be saved?

Question

Every christian religion exept Catholics harps about being saved all the time, but what exactly is being "saved?"

Answer 1

The "saved" people I have known in my life have stated to me that you must be saved to go to heaven. Anyone that is not saved does not get in. Which is funny to me because for the most part that means that most of their already passed on family members who weren't a part of this whole "saved" generation must be turning and burning in hell. Who in their right mind would believe in something as close-minded as that? Also in my opinion the born-again population is heavily populated by people with extremist personalities. Most I've known, (quite a few btw) are ex-addicts, to drugs, alcohol, or just general other self destructive forms of behavior. They can't live in the middle, to close too the edge for them. I feel sorry for them. Any God that created all of us would love any and all of us who is kind and good. I mean Mother Theresa wasn't a born again LOL I seriously doubt she's in hell or any Dalai Lamas or etc etc come on Give me a break.

Answer 2

Yes I know I grew up as Catholic but had a profound awakening and became a Protestant in my mid-20's. Being saved means to as Jesus to forgive your sins and tell Him you are sorry for being a sinner and wish for Him to enter your heart and guide you in your life to follow His teachings of being a Christian in the New Testament. And to give you the strength to turn away from your sinfull past and live for Jesus and to Praise Him in all you do. If you are sincere He forgives you of your past. And changes you completly and you become a much better person than you were before. But He also knows we are not perfect and all fall short of the glory of the Lord, that means make mistakes even after being saved but know it and ask forgiveness imediately. We have in us the urging not to sin and to be changed people. You need to be talking with a minister which is free and will help you. Then attend church regualarily. I have found that being a Protestant has brought me into a closer personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I no longer feel a need for a priest to intercede for me I speak with the Lord on a continual basis and when I am heavily burdened go to church and to the altar so my Pastor and church family can pray with me for a solution to the problem. It just seems more real to me now than when I was a Catholic. Hope this helps you.

Answer 3

Being "saved" means that you have been born again by the Holy Spirit of God and adopted into God's family. As to exactly what a person has to do to be saved, there is much debate. Some people say that you have to have a desire to repent or turn away from your old sinful life style and believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose on the third day and confess Him as the Lord of your life while asking God to give you his Holy Spirit so that the Spirit can show you how to live your new life in Christ.

That's all very Biblical but it makes it look like a person is responsible for their salvation and not God. Here is what Jesus said about being born again.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born, being old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter 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 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wills, and you hear its sound, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. So is everyone who has been born of the Spirit."

In other words, while repentence and confession are a part of being saved, it is God who causes these things to transpire. If someone just says some words and tries to live a life that is free from sin that doesn't mean that they are truly saved. Here is a link that explains some of the key verses in regards to getting saved. If you are asking about it because you want to be saved then that's a good sign that God is calling you to Jesus and you will be saved.

http://contenderministries.org/romanroad.php

Jesus said "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37

Answer 4

Romans 10:9-13 will tell you all you need to know. Then go to John 3:16. and before you read Acts 2:38, which I am sure some will tell you to do, make sure you understand the word Baptized and notice that Acts 2:38 says nothing about water. When you except Jesus as your Savior you are Baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

Well being saved is synonomys to being perfect. If you're old enough to be on here asking, it's too late for you. The point is do unto to others as you would have them do unto you. Real Christians won't try to make you fit into a mold. Remember, these same "saved" people have sinned, still sin, and will sin in the future. I personally check out Joel Osteen. I watch him on tv. He speaks about being a real righteous person, not perfection, just the best you can be. Check him out, he's very positive.

Answer 6

Obedience to Acts 2:38

Answer 7

We are sinners, here's a definition:

The Bible's definition of sin is "fallen short of the glory of God"
So pretty much, disobedience against God.
We were created by him, and for His glory, but we have rebelled, that is sin.
Think of it this way, you shoot an arrow, with all your strength at a target. You are told that you missed, when you ask how, you are told then you have fallen short, you haven't even reached the target, so there's nothing you can do.
The Bible teaches us that we have fallen short, therefore there is nothing we can do. We have tried with all our strength, and still fell short. We cannot attain heaven on our own good works, because the Bible tells is that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Every one of us is on our way to hell.

But God has given us a gift ("The wages if sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life") Through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth as a God-man, and died on the cross for our sins. His blood has paid our penalty, then he rose again, conquering sin and death.

Here's an illustration:
You have committed a crime, and the Judge sentences you to pay a fine, if you cannot pay this fine, you must spend a life sentence in jail. You cannot pay the fine, and you are condemned to jail. But then, someone that you do not even know steps out and pays your fine for you, and all you have to do is accept His gift.

That is what Christ did for you. When there was no hope, He stepped down and paid your fine. ("God commendeth His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us") All you have to do is accept His gift, and believe on Jesus Christ as you personal saviour. ("But if thou shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, adn with the mouth confession is made unto salvation")

Accept Him today, IT IS FREE.
Saved from death, hell, and most importantly, sin.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Answer 8

Saved means you are saved from being sent to the Lake of Fire for all eternity because you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and took up your cross and followed Him.

God decides, by sending His Holy Spirit to live within those who truly accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, not those who are insincere.

To be saved, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and take up your cross and follow Him.

Faith without works is dead.

Answer 9

You are a Spirit (like the Invisible Angels) (Spiritual Realm)
You Live in a Body (Physical Realm)

When Adam ate from the Tree, he messed-up his Spirit, GOD had to Leave Adam to keep from Hurting him.
Adam passed this messed-up Spirit to everybody else.
This messed-up Spirit cannot handle the Presence of GOD
It has to be RECREATED in order to be able to Live with GOD in Heaven.

Jesus is the Only One Who can Recreate you (a Spirit).
All you have to do is Believe and Ask.
Ask Jesus to Save you, (Recreate you) HE will.

Answer 10

It means being sincerely sorry for all the sins you have committed. Asking God's forgiveness of those sins and asking Him to come into your heart and fill you with the holy spirit. What it all comes down to is having a relationship with Jesus Christ and going to a Bible believing church and praying and spending time with God everyday. You don't have to be perfect, God only wants us to do our very best. God bless you and I pray you will follow the walk of Jesus Christ.