WHY?

Why were you saved? You might think this is a trick question, but it really isn’t. Some will say, “It is because Jesus died for my sins.” This is true but this answers how we are saved. Why were you saved? Some might say, “Because God so loved the world that He saved us.” Which is also true, but why were you saved? This question is unique and one that sooner or later all believers in Christ Jesus need to ask Him. There will always be the foundational reasons such as Romans 5:7-8 “For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” But is there more? Is there a specific reason why you were saved? To be perfectly clear, this can be a dangerous question to ask. Some might take this too far and examine their own self worth and come to a disastrous idea that God chose them because they were needed. God does not need you or I! Acts 17:24-25 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” God needs nothing for He is the maker of all things. We can also examine this question to our own detriment and think there is no real value to us, like once saved we have no value to God. This is also not true. Yet this simple question needs to be asked. Why were you saved? Scripture tells us why Paul was saved, let us examine this to see if we can find an answer to why we were saved.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” God saved Paul because He loved Paul. However, God also saved Paul to reveal to the world that Christ could save literally anyone! Yes that even means the worst person you can think of. That even means the monsters we read about in history books who did things that naive people consider to be outside of human capabilities today. Paul was saved to be a living testament. His testimony is five verses; instead of focusing on the garbage of his past, he quickly directs the attention to the real subject of our personal testimony, JESUS CHRIST.

A testimony helps us understand the value of what God is doing in our life post salvation. In doing so, it reveals the value of what God is doing and how He has turned our life into something greater than ourselves. Look at the disciples, they were going to be saved just like the rest of us because Jesus was going to die for them as well. However, them being saved revealed a post salvational purpose that God had intended for their lives. The same is for each and everyone of us, because God declares in countless verses His intentions in our lives to help guide us and love us. Read Proverbs chapters one through four and marvel at the revelation of Christ in our life.

So I would ask you again, “Why were you saved?” Have the answer ready, so when someone asks, you can give more than the “whole world” answer and reveal to them the personal relationship that you have with the creator of the universe. Now if you are not saved, I would encourage you to ask that question in a different manner, “Why hasn’t He saved me?” This answer we can simply tell you. He is waiting for you to ask! Recognize your need for Him and ask, that’s it. He will do the rest. Sometimes the simplest questions are the ones we miss to ask, and at times those are the questions that reveal the most truth in our lives.   

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL