What is Salvation?
What does it mean to be saved?
To be "saved" is to be set free from bondage to sin, releasing us to actually be made more and more like God everyday. This is God's perfect plan for each of us. To be "saved" also includes being freed from the consequences of your sins, which is separation from God and all of His goodness. This may not sound too bad, but everything good comes from God, the Creator of all things. Separation from Him is to be left with only despair, hopelessness and pain. Our sins separate us from God, because He is perfectly holy (righteous, good). Our sins also release the consequences of sin, which is death in every form, into our lives and the lives of others around us. The current state of our nation and world is a result of our sins.
Salvation in Yeshua
Our God is perfectly loving, and in His mercy and grace to us, He sent His Son to pay the price for ALL of our sins--the sins of every person in the world who has ever lived. However, each one of us has a choice to accept this sacrifice and receive salvation in Messiah Yeshua. Messiah means "Anointed One". Yeshua is a Jewish name that means "Yah Saves". Yah is a shortened form of the name of God, which is YHVH in Hebrew. This is the language of the Old Covenant of the Bible, the place where we read God's name. "Yah Saves" is synonymous with "Salvation". Hence, the word in Hebrew for salvation is "Yeshua".
Yeshua is fully God and was with the Father in the beginning, involved in our creation (see John 1:1-18 and Genesis 1:1-3). Then He came to earth, was born of a virgin, lived life as we do, tempted in every way but without sin, and gave His sinless life as a sacrifice for each one of us. By His sacrifice, all of us receive salvation, deliverance from destructive lifestyles and demonic oppression, and healing for our bodies and souls. Yeshua is called many other names in many cultures, to include Jesus, Isa, Jesús and Iēsous. However, we choose to reclaim His narrative and call Him by the Name originally given to Him. It has more depth and meaning. It also connects us more to His life on earth and His commandments given to the Jews for the world. These commandments make up the whole Bible.
To accept salvation in Messiah Yeshua is a personal choice each of us may make, but God will not force it upon us. However, if we choose to make it, we will be reconciled in our relationship with God, filled with His Holy Spirit, and transformed more and more each day to be holy, loving and creative like our Creator. This will absolutely transform every aspect of our lives and restore the world around us. If you desire to receive salvation in Messiah Yeshua today, simply pray the Prayer of Salvation aloud while believing every word of it in your heart.