I. THE QUESTION THAT EXPOSES EVERYTHING
“You say you’re saved—saved from what?”
- Not a trick question
- A diagnostic question
- If we can’t answer it biblically, we may not understand salvation
Modern Christianity often treats “saved” as:
- A label
- A moment
- A memory
- A past decision
Biblical truth:
Salvation is a rescue, not a slogan.
Key Scripture:
- John 3:18 — Those who do not believe are already condemned
- Salvation is deliverance from judgment, not self-improvement
II. WHAT SALVATION IS NOT
Clearing the fog before defining the truth
Salvation is NOT:
- Being a good person
- Going to church
- Having Christian parents
- Saying a prayer once
- Feeling forgiven without repentance
Biblical truth:
- Salvation is not God overlooking sin
- Salvation is God dealing with sin
Key Scriptures:
- Romans 3:20 — No one is justified by works
- Matthew 7:21 — Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” is saved
If salvation does not address:
- God’s wrath
- Sin’s guilt
- Eternal judgment
…it is not biblical salvation.
III. SAVED FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN
Justification — “I have been saved”
The problem: guilt before a holy God
- Romans 6:23 — The wages of sin is death
At the moment of faith in Christ:
- Sin’s penalty is removed
- Judgment is satisfied
- Righteousness is credited
- Eternal life is given
This is justification:
- Instant
- Complete
- Final
Key Scriptures:
- Ephesians 2:8–9 — Saved by grace through faith, not works
- Romans 8:1 — No condemnation for those in Christ
Warning:
If justification is misunderstood, everything else collapses.
IV. THE DANGER OF STOPPING HERE
False assurance and dead faith
Common claims:
- “I was saved”
- “I prayed the prayer”
- “I’m good”
Biblical truth:
Justification is never alone.
- James 2:17 — Faith without works is dead
- Works don’t save, but real faith produces change
This misunderstanding leads to:
- False assurance
- Moral compromise
- Sin without repentance
- Grace without obedience
Key Scripture:
- Titus 2:11–12 — Grace saves and trains us to deny ungodliness
Grace does not excuse sin.
Grace confronts it.
V. SAVED FROM THE POWER OF SIN
Sanctification — “I am being saved”
Present reality of salvation
- Romans 6:6 — No longer slaves to sin
- Romans 6:14 — Sin is no longer our master
Not sinless perfection — but new direction
Salvation now produces:
- New desires
- New convictions
- New obedience
- New struggle
Key truths:
- No struggle = no sanctification
- No sanctification = justification should be questioned
Key Scripture:
- Philippians 2:12–13 — God works in us to will and to act
Salvation is worked out, not earned.
VI. THE LIE OF “SAVED BUT UNCHANGED”
Belief without obedience
Jesus’ words:
- John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”
Not perfection.
But direction.
Not sinless living.
But surrendered living.
Key Scripture:
- Matthew 7:21–23 — “I never knew you… you who practice lawlessness”
A profession of faith that rejects Christ’s authority is not saving faith.
VII. SAVED FROM THE PRESENCE OF SIN
Glorification — “I will be saved”
Future hope of the believer
One day:
- No more sin
- No more temptation
- No more struggle
- No more death
Key Scriptures:
- 1 John 3:2 — When we see Him, we will be like Him
- Romans 8:30 — Those God justifies, He also glorifies
This is not wishful thinking.
This is guaranteed completion.
VIII. WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY SAYING WHEN YOU SAY “I’M SAVED”
You are saying:
- I was rescued from judgment
- I am being transformed by grace
- I will be perfected by God
Key Scriptures:
- John 5:24 — Passed from death to life
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — New creation
- Philippians 1:6 — God finishes what He starts
If any of these are missing, the statement is incomplete — or false.
IX. FINAL WARNING AND INVITATION
Examine what kind of salvation you’re trusting
Key Scripture:
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 — Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith
This is not meant to create fear.
It is meant to destroy false peace.
Salvation is not permission to live however you want.
It is deliverance into a new life under a new Lord.
Key Scriptures:
- Romans 6:1–2 — Grace does not justify continued sin
- 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — You are not your own
Jesus did not save us from hell so we could remain slaves to sin.
He saved us from sin so we could belong to Him.