Are You Saved… and From What

It is important to know

I recently sat next to someone I know, and we talked about what was going on at the church we no longer attend. I had spent over 50 years there, so I was very familiar with what he was talking about. It is the same thing that most board members eventually deal with—money. How do we handle this? Why did we spend that? Where did these thousands of dollars go? Those conversations tend to take up more space than anyone expects.

We now do what you might call a home church. It’s not regular due to distance and family commitments, but it is much more relaxed. There is time for prayer, some music, and, just as importantly, time to talk about life. One thing that stands out is that 100% of what is given to charities actually goes to those charities, rather than building maintenance or salaries. We’ve looked into several organizations and found that many have high overhead, so we try to be mindful of that. Each person gives privately as they feel led.

I recently watched a documentary on mega churches and how many of them are struggling. The overhead alone can become overwhelming, especially when a long-time pastor retires. Membership often drops off during those transitions. People become connected to the individual rather than the structure, and when that person is no longer there, the sense of connection fades. It highlights a deeper issue that exists in many places.

More people today seem to be moving toward something that feels more spiritual and less structured. Religion, in many cases, creates a kind of framework that can be helpful, but it can also become limiting. There is often little encouragement to look beyond that framework, partly out of concern that people may begin to think differently. Over time, a message developed that we are inherently weak and in need of saving, usually through a particular system of belief. Earlier expectations of a messiah were centered on a physical rescue and the establishment of a visible kingdom. Later, that shifted into a more spiritual understanding, pointing toward something less visible but still deeply meaningful.

If Christ were to return today, I sometimes wonder if He might shake His head and ask how so much of His teaching had been overlooked. He spoke of a kingdom that is within, not something to be built outwardly. He spoke of something not centered on outward forms, but on righteousness, peace, and a living connection to the Spirit. Being born again, in that sense, feels less like repeating a specific prayer and more like a genuine change of heart. That kind of change cannot be forced, but it can be encouraged. It grows through a person’s own connection, often quietly, over time.

When that shift begins to take place, there is a kind of transformation that follows. It doesn’t come with a great announcement, but more like a steady nudge—an inner prompting toward kindness, patience, and a different way of seeing others. It has a way of loosening the grip of fear, shame, and doubt. And while it begins within, it doesn’t stay there. It naturally extends outward into how we live and how we treat people. There is a strength in that, but it is not the kind that draws attention to itself.

I’ve been in churches where a salvation message is given every Sunday, often to the same group of people who have heard it countless times. Yet there is little said about how to live from that place once it is received. The focus can remain on weakness rather than on the strength that is meant to follow. That imbalance can leave people feeling as though they are always lacking something rather than growing into something.

I also think about the many near-death experiences that have been shared over the years, across cultures and beliefs. While they are not all the same, some patterns recur—experiences that often reflect a sense of connection, understanding, and a presence that feels far greater than what is typically described. For anyone curious, some organizations study these accounts in depth. Looking into them can expand one’s perspective in unexpected ways.

In the end, I have come to feel that the question may not simply be “Are you saved?” but rather “What are you being saved from?” And perhaps even more importantly, “What are you being invited into?” There is something within us that is not as weak as we have been led to believe. When we begin to see that, even in small ways, it can change how we live.

Just know—you are only as weak as you think you are.