WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED”?
Pastor Joel Bernardino – October 16, 2025
When we hear the word “saved,” we often think of someone who escaped from certain danger or disaster.
For example:
• You were almost in an accident, but you got out just in time.
• You were drowning, but someone rescued you.
• You fell from a high building, but a big net caught you.
That’s what “saved” means — someone helped you, someone rescued you, someone saved your life.
THE SAD REALITY
But there’s a deeper reason why we all need to be saved —
because all of us have sinned, and all of us are heading toward destruction — not just physical death, but spiritual death.
Romans 5:12 says,
“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
This happened when Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
• He came in the form of a serpent and tempted Eve to eat from the tree that God had forbidden.
• He told her, “If you eat this fruit, you will be like God.”
And that’s where the fall of man began.
THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THE ENEMY
Since that time, the enemy has always been a deceiver.
His goal is to make us believe his lies, so that we will fall into sin and be separated from God.
That’s his mission — to destroy our relationship with God and lead us to eternal ruin.
Remember: when we believe Satan’s lies,
we fall into sin, and sin always leads to destruction.
ILLUSTRATION: JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS
Look at Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4).
Satan also tried to tempt Him there.
He even used the Scriptures — but twisted their meaning.
However, Jesus was not deceived because He stood firmly on the truth of God’s Word.
That’s what we must do as well.
Don’t believe the lies of the enemy.
Stand strong in the truth of God.
GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION
But praise God — He had a plan to save us!
He didn’t leave us lost and hopeless.
He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from sin and death.
John 3:16 declares,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
That’s how deep and great God’s love is.
Even though we are sinners, He still chose to love us and to save us.
Jesus is our Savior —
the “big net” that caught us before we fell into eternal death.
GOD CONTINUES TO SAVE
And until today, God continues His saving work.
He doesn’t just save us once — He protects and delivers us daily:
from sin, from temptation, from darkness, and even from ourselves.
1 John 1:9 says,
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
That’s why we must never turn away from Him.
Let’s keep coming to God —
because He is always ready to forgive, to restore, and to give us a fresh start.
FINAL REFLECTION
Friends, here’s the most important question:
👉 Are you saved?
👉 Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus, your Savior?
Because being “saved” doesn’t just mean escaping an accident —
it means being rescued from eternal separation from God.
It means your soul has been saved through Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION
If you’re not yet sure of your salvation,
this is the right time — don’t wait any longer.
Receive Jesus Christ today as your Lord and Savior.
Put your faith in Him.
And you will experience the true peace and eternal life
that only He can give —
because the truly saved person is the one who belongs to Jesus.
