What are you saved from?

As a Christian, we use terminology that is sometimes foreign to those who are not Christians like the word Salvation. A person might ask, "Are you saved?" Of course, the reply will probably be "Saved from what?" That is a great question. We might skip over the bad news and just appeal to the idea that being a Christian means to have the abundant life full of joy. For certain, following our Lord in obedience has great rewards in this life. But that is what we are saved to. People don't like to hear or talk much about hell. Jesus talked a lot about that. The good news is made so much more wonderful by the contrast against the bad.

Are you saved?

Matthew 13:41-43 (NKJV)

The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!