New devotions will show up in the Devotional Chef blog. But classics we repost here.

The Chef Asks: are you saved?

The word saved depicts something of value kept; a precious item or commodity. And a commodity is a useful thing! If you don’t want to be called “a thing,” just hold on to the word “useful!”

Our word search continues.

• Saved?
• Salvation?
• Savior?

We will in this devotional explore the secular and theological meanings of these terms, as they relate to the most important subject/question, facing our eternal destination.

Saved? Hmmm! Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus defines the word save as

[To remove from danger] deliver, extricate, rescue, free, set free, liberate, release, emancipate, ransom, redeem, come to the rescue of, defend.

The New Testament was written primarily in Greek and Aramaic, with some Hebrew. These were the languages spoken in the Roman Empire in the East, near Jerusalem. In studying theology, we sometimes go back to the root meanings of words in these original languages. The Greek word sozo, or to save, is used with the noun soteria, or salvation, especially to indicate material and temporal deliverance from danger, suffering, etc. (Matt 8:25, Mark 13:20, Luke 23:35, John 12:27)

What are we suffering from? Ourselves. And why would God even attempt to save anyone? As He is sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, so he is also full of grace and compassion. It pleases God that none should perish but all have eternal life, through The Lord Jesus Christ! (John 3:16) This is to express the divine will of God as it relates to your eternal destination! The choice is yours – DEATH or LIFE.

When we find -ed at the end of any word, as in saved, that is a concrete expression of the anchor word. As a suffix, -ed forms the past tense or past participle of certain words. In other words, a done deal. Here God goes beyond temporal deliverance of danger, to a permanent. total, life-changing experience with Him at the helm of your life!

Why should any of this concern me? You might well ask:

My life is pretty good, and I’m already a christian!

Well, in knowing this we not only can help ourselves, but others as well!

Suppose God held back Jesus from you and me and countless others. Or if God held back the food supply or water or other natural resources. Or if He taxed all of us or charged you for breathing or being born. I dare say that we could pay the price required. To me it is the same thing when you withhold any piece of information that could impact, another human.

So, here is your answer: this is to stop spiritual suicide. People may not have a clue as to their mortality or lack of it. No matter how you slice it,

It is appointed unto man only once to die, and after that the judgment.

(Hebrews 9:27)

The word savior refers to a person or persons. During the First Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), Kuwait was under siege by Iraqi forces. They needed liberation. They needed to be saved. The United States led a multinational force to save them. This force and its committed troops placed a well-organized military boot up Saddam’s dreams of conquest! And they in effect became Kuwait’s savior!

Likewise, we Christians refer to Jesus as savior. Many say they know Him, but don’t really have a foggy-bottom idea of who he really is! The word savior comes from the Greek, iesous, a translation of the Hebrew joshua, meaning Jehovah is salvation, or, is the Savior, a common name given to many Jews and others even today. (Exodus 17:9, Col.4;11)

Webster’s also quotes,

Savior: one who saves; the Savior (or Saviour) Jesus Christ

The Bible clearly states that

Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(Acts 4:12)

If all the things that Jesus did were written the world’s books couldn’t contain them.

(John 21:25)

So if you ask yourself, “am I saved?” then all you have to do is take a self-inventory! God has placed everything in proper perspectives:

• He set the pace of this vast, universe.
• He set things seen and unseen in motion.
• He created the Spiritual and Physical Worlds.
• He set all the laws governing these worlds.

Let’s face it: man is a created being, and as we are “created in the image of God” we have great creative ability; but we can’t produce raw materials out of nothing. We’re fabricators, perhaps great ones, but nothing more! On the other hand,

• God is Holy.
• God is Wise.
• God is Good. (All Of The Time).
• God cannot Lie.
• God is Just.
• God sets the standards, for righteous living.
• God defines grace And compassion.
• God is merciful.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

(Read Rom.3:23)

I’m not here to patronize anyone. I’m here to keep you from being lost! I’m a preacher, but once my life was out of order. I was on a fast track to Hell. And duh! I finally got it through Christ. Now I want to help you get it!

• You can live victoriously!
• You can live in total freedom!
• You can live in harmony with God and man!
• You can have a dynamic and successful, powerful life!
• You can have a spiritually and physically prosperous life.

Jesus, in his death on the cross, cleared the way for you. Soteria, as discussed above, is the spiritual and eternal deliverance granted immediately by God to those who accept His conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, in whom alone salvation is to be obtained. You must confess Him as Lord; the Gospel is the saving instrument.

The Bible clearly says “God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Likewise, “I bring to you this day life or death; choose life!” If you are ready to receive this salvation, pray with me:

Father God, I have read Your word. You said if we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Today, right now, I accept you Father God as my God, and I now renounce all the works of the flesh and the works of the Devil. Today Jesus is my Lord, my God, my King forever. Amen!

Remember, when you have prayed this, that the Bible says

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

If you sincerely said this prayer, then WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD! And please, e-mail me and let me know you’ve done this. There are many Bible-believing, people-loving churches out there to help you grow in the faith.

Please read I John 1:9, Romans 10:17, Romans 11:16, I Peter 2:9. Bless it up!

Posted by Rev. Robert Lacy on June 16, 2009