Three Minute Theology is a series of blog posts, each designed to offer a quick but meaningful look at a subject related to God and faith—something you can read in just a few minutes but reflect on for much longer. Think of this as a starting point, not the full journey. But don’t stop here. Think of this as a starting point, not the finish line. My hope is that these snapshots will spark your curiosity and challenge you to dig deeper, open your Bible, ask questions, and explore how these truths shape your everyday life. After all, the best theology isn’t just learned—it’s lived.
If you didn’t grow up in church, the whole “saved” thing might sound a little dramatic. Saved from what? A burning building? A bear attack?
But in the world of Jesus, being saved is a really big deal. It’s eternity-changing, identity-redefining, purpose-clarifying.
So let’s break it down as simply as we possibly can.
First of All, Yes—You Need to Be Saved
I know, I know, that feels like a bold claim to start with. You’re a good person, you pay your taxes, you recycle, and you only yell at your kids when they deserve it.
But the truth is, sin has wrecked all of us. It messes up our relationship with God, with each other, and even with ourselves. (Ever felt like you can’t get your act together no matter how hard you try?)
Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Translation? Nobody’s crushing it spiritually on their own. No one is righteous. Nobody deserves heaven. Not you, not me, not your grandma who listens to southern gospel music all day every day. We’re all sinners in need of a Savior.
But thank God, that’s exactly what He gave us when He sent Jesus.
John 3:16-17 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
So, What Is Salvation?
Being saved means being rescued—from sin, death, shame, purposelessness, and eternal separation from God—and brought into a brand new life through Jesus.
It’s not about becoming perfect. It’s not about jumping through religious hoops. It’s about surrendering to the only One who can actually fix what’s broken and clean up the mess afterward: Jesus.
At our church, we keep it simple and rooted firmly in the New Testament. Acts 2 gives the first clear picture of what it looks like to respond to the gospel. Peter lays it all out after preaching about Jesus’ death and resurrection:
“What shall we do?” they asked.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38)
Boom. That’s the answer, short and sweet, right from the Bible.
Salvation comes by grace, through faith. You believe in Jesus. You repent—which means “turn around and stop running your own show.” And then you’re baptized—an outward act of obedience in response to the inward transformation caused by the grace of God that saves us when we put our faith in Jesus as not just our Savior but as the Lord of our lives (I’ll write about that idea next week).. It identifies us as part of God’s family. It’s a spiritual death and rebirth, where your old self stays under the water (like a body being buried) and your new life in Christ begins.
But Isn’t That a Bit Much?
Look, if God was just looking for rule-followers or Insta-perfect people, He wouldn’t have sent Jesus to die on a cross.
He’s after you. The real you. The tired-you. The anxious-you. The depressed-you. The addicted-you. The divorced-you. The deceptive-you. The people-pleasing-you. The angry-you. The doubting-you. The version of you who stays up late wondering if your life actually matters.
Salvation means you don’t have to wonder anymore.
It means you’ve been rescued and invited into a new story. It means you’ve got a new identity, a new family, and a future that doesn’t depend on your performance, but exclusively on the goodness of God.
So What Now?
I want you to know—Jesus is ready when you are. Not when you clean up, stop doing that “thing” (whatever it is), break your addiction, memorize a few more Bible verses, or finally figure out how to parent without losing your mind. Right now.
He’s already done the heavy lifting. All you have to do is say “yes.”
If you’ve got questions, check out the resources below. And don’t wait forever. Your new life can start today.
Additional Resources
- Read more about what our church believes and teaches about following Jesus.
- Learn more about baptism.
- Book: “Core52” by Mark Moore – Short daily readings that help you understand the core truths of the Bible and why they matter for your life.
- Podcast Episode: “What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?” from Real Life Theology Podcast.
- Bible Plan: “How to Follow Jesus” 7-Day Reading Plan on YouVersion – Super practical and quick, even if you’re reading while your kid dumps Cheerios on the floor.
