How to answer the Question: ARE YOU SAVED?

The notion of an instantaneous and once & forever salvation is not consistent with the Holy Tradition. We can perhaps target the exact moment when we chose to quit fooling around and started cooperating seriously and actively with the saving grace bestowed on us through the Holy Baptism and Chrismation, because the truth is that God does not force His salvation down unwilling individuals.

  • First, "I was saved" by the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Christ died on the Cross for the salvation of all mankind. If not for His sacrifice, I could not now or ever be saved.

  • Second, "I am being saved" as I live my life in union with the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church. Conversely, we could say that, "I am not being saved" because I have departed from the teaching of Christ and His Church and am storing up earthly treasure rather than heavenly treasures.

  • Third, "I will be saved" when I am judged at the end of my earthly life and found worthy of eternal life with the Blessed Trinity. Then, and only then, can the simple answer be said with great conviction, "Yes, I am saved!"

Biblical Basis

I was Saved

  • Ephesians 2: 8 – “For it is by grace that you are saved through faith; not of your doing; it is the gift of God:”

I am being Saved

  • Philippians 2: 12 “…but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:”

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18 : “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (NOTE: In King James Version it says ‘Who are saved’. In the Good News Bible (1927), The Gideon's International Bible, New International Version and in New King James Version it is ‘Who are being saved.’)

I will be Saved

  • Mark 13:13 – “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

  • Hebrews 9:28 “…So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; so that at his second coming he shall appear without our sins for the salvation of those who look for him.”