Saved from What?

People of faith are often referred to as being "saved." But from what, exactly, are they saved?

Were it not for God, how would we define "success"? We would have to define it in earthly terms. That is, success would mean that we are (1) socially respected, (2) academically credentialed, (3) professionally accomplished, and (4) financially stable. But note that each of those "successes" involves either human approval or material possessions.

By living in faith, however, those things no longer define success. We are saved from those definitions of success! Instead, success becomes entirely a question of gaining favor in God's eyes.

As Paul says in Galatians 1:10 (ESV),

Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 And as Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV),

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Although we must confront earthly concerns, living in faith means that we are saved from having those define us. Instead, let us define ourselves as servants of God.