Decoding Christian Lingo

Salvation - More Than Just a Prayer

Introduction: You ever hear church people use words that sound like they require a seminary degree to understand?

Words like sanctification, justification, redemption, glorification.

We hear them in sermons, we see them in Scripture—but let’s be honest… do we really know what they mean?

And more importantly, do we understand why they matter?

That’s what this series—Decoding Christian Lingo—is all about.

Today, we’re starting with one of the most important words: Salvation

I want to start by asking a question...

Have you ever questioned your salvation?

Maybe you've asked yourself these questions:

Was my salvation real, or was it just an emotional moment?

If I’m saved, why do I still struggle with sin and temptation?

Why do I still lose my temper?

What if I didn’t say or do everything exactly right?

If you’ve ever wrestled with these thoughts, you’re not alone.

So many people live with uncertainty, wondering, “Am I really saved?”

Some assume they’re saved just because they grew up in church.

Others point to a moment when they prayed a prayer—but they’ve never seen real change in their life.

But here’s the real question:

Do I truly understand what salvation means?

Let’s begin by first defining the word salvation.

Salvation (sōtēria) is God’s complete rescue, restoration, and transformation through Jesus Christ—bringing us from death to life, from brokenness to wholeness, and from sin to righteousness.

Let’s into three powerful truths from Scripture about salvation.

The first truth we need to look at is....

Main Points:

🎯 Point #1: Salvation Is More Than a Moment—It’s a Total Transformation

Salvation Is More Than a Moment—It’s a Total Transformation

A lot of people treat salvation like it’s about saying the right words—like some kind of magic formula

Think about it...

Jesus never said, “Repeat after me.” He said, “Follow me.”

Salvation isn’t just about believing in Jesus—it’s about becoming someone completely new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Illustration:

Think about a caterpillar.

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It crawls on the ground. It’s slow. It’s stuck. It can’t see beyond the dirt in front of it.

But then something happens—it enters the cocoon. Inside, it doesn’t just change a little bit. It’s completely transformed.

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❓ And when it emerges?

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It’s not a caterpillar with wings.

It’s something entirely different.

It has a new identity.

It has new abilities.

It has a new kind of freedom.

It no longer crawls—it soars.

That’s salvation.

When you come to Christ, you don’t just get a fresh start—you become brand new

You have a new identity, new ability, and new freedom.

So the real question isn’t, Did I say the right prayer or do everything right?

❓ The real question is, Have I been transformed?

Salvation isn’t just about a moment. It’s about a new life, becoming a new creation through Christ.

Now that we know the first truth is … Lets look at the the Second truth

🎯 Point #2: Salvation Is a Gift - Not Something You Earn

Salvation Is a Gift - Not Something You Earn

John 3:16–17 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Notice that John tells us that God GAVE...He did not say You have to EARN.

A lot of people live as if salvation is something they have to work for—like they have to earn God’s love.

The enemy has convinced so many people to believe these lies:

“I need to be good enough for God to accept me.”

“I have to clean up my life before I come to Jesus.”

“If I mess up, maybe I was never really saved.”

But let me ask you:

❓ When will you ever be "good enough"?

❓ When will your life ever feel "clean enough"?

❓ When have you ever gone a day without messing up?

The truth is, you never could be good enough on your own.

But here’s the good news: Jesus didn’t wait for you to get it together.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus died for you at your worst.

He didn’t die for the cleaned-up version of you—He died for the real, broken, struggling, sinful you.

Illustration:

Imagine you’re drowning in the middle of the ocean—waves crashing over you, no land in sight, exhausted and sinking. You’re completely helpless.

Suddenly, a rescue helicopter appears. A diver jumps in, swims to you, and reaches out his hand. But instead of grabbing onto him, you say:

“I can’t let you save me yet—I need to get myself together first.”

“Let me swim to shore on my own.”

“I’m too much of a mess to deserve rescue.”

Sounds ridiculous, right?

No one drowning argues about whether they deserve to be saved. They just grab onto the rescuer.

But here’s the truth: Jesus didn’t wait for you to swim to Him—He jumped in to save you while you were still drowning in sin.

Salvation isn’t about you getting to Jesus—it’s about Jesus coming to you.

All you have to do is reach out and take His hand.

Salvation isn’t about what you can do—it’s about what Jesus already did.

The third and final truth teaches us how to receive this gift.

🎯 Point #3: Salvation Is More than Believing - It’ Giving Jesus Full Control.

Salvation Is More Than Believing—It’s Giving Jesus Full Control

Its about surrendering your life to Jesus!

Let’s think about this truth for a moment.

✅ A lot of people believe in Jesus.

✅ They believe He existed.

✅ They believe He was a good teacher.

✅ They even believe He died and rose again.

🚫 But belief alone doesn’t equal salvation.

Even demons believe in Jesus. And they tremble. (James 2:19)

The real question isn’t “Do I believe in Jesus?” The real question is:

❓ “Have I surrendered my life to Jesus?”

Romans 10:9–10 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Salvation isn’t just about repeating a prayer—it’s about who’s in control of your life.

Paul is saying something radical here.

He’s not talking about a casual belief or a momentary confession—he’s talking about a life-altering surrender.

That’s the core of salvation: Believing and Confessing. But those words carry more weight than we think.

What Does It Mean to Truly Confess Jesus?

The Greek word for "confess" is ὁμολογέω (homologeó), meaning “to agree with, to align with, to declare openly.”

It’s not just saying words—it’s submitting your life to His Lordship.

What Confession Is NOT:

🚫 Saying words you don’t mean. 🚫 A hollow, religious statement with no real change. 🚫 A one-time prayer that punches your ticket to heaven.

What Confession IS:

✝️ Confession is - Declaring Jesus is Lord over every area of your life.

❓ Is He Lord over your decisions?

❓ Is He Lord over your struggles?

❓ Is He Lord over your family, your finances, your relationships?

✝️ Confession is -Standing firm in the face of persecution.

The Christians when Paul wrote Romans, didn’t just say Jesus was Lord—they staked their lives on it.

For them, confessing "Jesus is Lord" wasn’t just a statement—it was a death sentence.

They weren’t just risking their reputations; they were risking their lives.

They weren’t just giving up comfort; they were giving up everything—their homes, their families, their safety.

They knew that choosing Jesus meant choosing suffering—but they also knew that Jesus was worth it.

Think about it:

Some were thrown to lions in the Colosseum, hearing the roar of the crowd as they took their last breath.

Some were burned at the stake, the flames rising around them as they whispered His name.

Some were beheaded for refusing to deny Him, knowing their next moment would be in His presence.

And yet, they never backed down.

Why?

Because they knew Jesus wasn’t just worth dying for—He was worth living for.

🤔 If they were willing to die for Him, are we willing to truly live for Him?

✝️ Confession is - A lifelong commitment, not a one-time event.

Matthew 24:13 – “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Paul, at the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Now that we know what it means to confess Jesus as Lord

What Does It Mean to Truly Believe?

The Greek word for "believe" is πιστεύω (pisteuó), means:

To trust in, rely upon, and put full confidence in

To entrust your life to something completely

A belief that leads to action

What "Believe" IS NOT:

🚫 Just agreeing in your mind that Jesus rose from the dead. 🚫 Thinking, "Yeah, that probably happened 2,000 years ago." 🚫 A casual belief that doesn’t change your life.

Illustration: Imagine saying, “I believe this chair can hold me,” but refusing to sit in it. That’s mental belief—but it’s not faith.

Belief in Romans 10:9 isn’t just agreeing with a fact—it’s placing your full trust in Jesus.

What "Believe" IS:

✅ Total trust in Jesus – Like sitting in the chair, fully depending on it to hold you. ✅ Entrusting your entire life to Him – Not just believing in Him, but depending on Him. ✅ An active faith that changes how you live – True belief leads to surrender and obedience.

Why Does Paul Focus on Believing in the Resurrection?

Paul highlights believing in Jesus' resurrection because:

1️⃣ It proves God accepted Jesus' sacrifice

Romans 4:25 AMP

Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].

2️⃣ It confirms Jesus has power over sin and death

1 Corinthians 15:17 AMP

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];

3️⃣ If Jesus is alive, it means He is Lord, and we owe Him our full surrender.

Romans 14:9 AMP

For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Illustration: The Tightrope Walker

Imagine a famous tightrope walker pushing a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. He turns to the crowd and asks,

"Who believes I can push this wheelbarrow across again?"

Everyone cheers, “Yes! We believe!”

Then he points to one man and says, “Get in the wheelbarrow.”

True belief isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s getting in the wheelbarrow and trusting and surrendering to Jesus completely.

Conclusion:

Ask yourself: ❓Have I just agreed with the facts about Jesus, or have I entrusted my life to Him? ❓ Is my belief just words, or is it changing how I live? ❓ Have I put my full trust in Jesus—not just as Savior, but as Lord of my life?

Belief isn’t just knowledge—it’s surrender.

If you can confidently say, “Yes, I’ve surrendered to Jesus,” then stand firm in your salvation! You belong to Him, and nothing can separate you from His love.

But if you’re not sure—if you’ve just gone through the motions and emotions—then today is your day.

You don’t have to wonder anymore. You don’t have to live in fear.

You can settle it right now.

🙏 Prayer: If that’s you, I invite you to pray this—not as a formula, but as a true surrender of your heart:

"Jesus, I know I’ve sinned, and I need You. I believe You died for me and rose again so I could have new life. Today, I surrender. I give You my whole heart, my whole life. You are my Savior, and You are my Lord. From this day forward, I will follow You. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

If you just prayed that and meant it—you are saved.

Not because of a prayer, but because of God’s grace and your faith in Him.

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