We were saved (see Ti 3:5) when we were baptized. As we live out our baptism by faith, we are being saved (see 1 Cor 15:2). We will finally be saved if we persevere in living out our faith in Jesus (see Rm 10:9). The Bible speaks of being saved in past, present, and future tenses.
We have been, are, and will be saved from death, sin, Satan, hell, damnation, slavery, self-hatred, self-destruction, etc. We are saved from giving "allegiance to the present age and to the prince of the air," being "among the rebellious" (Eph 2:2), living "at the level of the flesh," and deserving "God's wrath like the rest" (Eph 2:3).
We are saved in Christ for eternal life with Him, resurrection from the dead, "a place in the heavens" (Eph 2:6), "the life of good deeds" (Eph 2:10), etc.
We are saved by His grace richly expressed in mercy and love (Eph 2:4-5). "I repeat, it is owing to His favor that salvation is yours through faith. This is not your own doing, it is God's gift; neither is it a reward for anything you have accomplished" (Eph 2:8-9). We are saved by faith in the person of Jesus (Acts 16:31) and in His death and resurrection.
Are you saved and being saved? Will you be saved?
| PRAYER: | "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." Thank You, Jesus, Savior and Lord. I decide to live my life totally for You. |
| PROMISE: | "Avoid greed in all its forms. A man may be wealthy, but his possessions do not guarantee him life." –Lk 12:15 |
| PRAISE: | Bill returned to weekly Mass after an absence of a decade because some members of the parish evangelization team cared enough to knock on his door and invite him to join them. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College