Author’s Note on Big Bible Words: Every once in awhile, a pastor or teacher will use a big word to describe a biblical or theological concept. These words are usually at least three syllables and almost always end with the sound of /chun/ or /shun/ such as redemption, salvation or sanctification. There are two dangers in using words such as these. First, new believers may not understand what they mean; second, longtime believers may be overly familiar with the words, thus rendering them as meaningless clichés.

However, these are important words. An understanding of these words helps us see what God has done for us. So, this devo is one in series of Big Bible Words. Let’s start with salvation.

In the time of the New Testament, the Greek language (the original language of the New Testament) had a word that described being rescued from imminent and certain peril. The word was sozo /SO-dzo/. It’s the word we translate as “to save.” To better understand this word, picture yourself falling through the ice on a pond only to come up under the ice when trying to surface. You can’t find the opening. You’re out of breath and your next inhale will be full of water. Suddenly, someone grabs you and pulls you to the surface. You breathe fresh air. You’ve been rescued. saved. That is sozo. This is also the root of the word salvation.

The What
Now that you are equipped with good insight on the words we translate saved and salvation, read these passages with this insight in mind. For best results, consider printing these verses so you can do the following:
1. Draw a water rescue ring over the words save/saved and salvation.
2. Draw a frowny over anything that describes us before we are saved.
3. Draw a smiley over anything that describes us after we are saved.
4. One more thing: Circle anything that saves us.

“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:3-10).

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:9-11).

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:8-10).

The So What
Take a minute to process what you just explored. Write down as much detail as you can in responding to these questions.

What words describe us before we are saved? (Your frownys are a clue.)

What happens to us after we are saved? (Your smileys.)

Who and what is responsible for the change in what we were to what we are?

Seal the Deal
You can see there is a lot going on when we say we are saved. So, this brings up a question: Are you saved? In other words, have you let God pull you out from under the ice?

If not, there is one more verse you may want to consider:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Rom. 10:9-10).

Close your time by writing about your salvation experience—either your experience through the years or perhaps these past few minutes. Do a mash up between your personal story and how the process is described in the verses you just read—find the parallels between the way Scripture describes the experience and how it played out with you.

We’ve been rescued, through no effort of our own, from serious destruction. It’s as if we are in a car careening downhill with no brakes. This does not look as if it will end well, but it can. We have no way of stopping the car, but God does have a way.

That’s salvation. May this word always remind you of the rescue that took place on your personal behalf.