It is a common question that we often ask new people that we meet. It is an important question, because it reflects our eternal destiny. However, the answer to this question is not as straight forward as we may think. Consider these five possible and yet correct answers to the question “When were you saved”?

1) We were saved before time began

God is sovereign and all-powerful. Even before he created time and man, he knew we would fall and need redemption. God decided even then to save us. The fact that God decided to save us means that our salvation was as good as done.

2) We were saved around 30 AD on a cross outside of Jerusalem

The price for our salvation was not paid until an innocent Jesus shed his blood for our sins. Death and the grave was conquered when Jesus died and rose again. This moment is the focal point of history as it was in this moment that all souls past, present, and future received eligibility to come into the presence of God.

3) We were saved when we repented on our sin and placed our faith in Christ

Typically this is the answer that we want when we ask the question ‘When were you saved’? The better question is when did we receive our regenerated life—our new life in Christ. Sometimes we can point to a moment in time when this occurs (e.g. an altar call or distinct moment in our adult life). Sometimes we cannot recall a specific moment (e.g. we may have grown up in a Christian family and believed in Christ as long as we can remember). Sometimes placing our faith in Christ can be a journey and we can’t remember a specific moment when we “crossed the line,” but we know that we are now trusting Christ. These can all be valid methods of how we arrive at “being saved.”

4) We are constantly being saved

Our salvation is more than just a status change in the Book of Life. It affects our whole life. Because we are saved from the penalty of sin, we can now be saved from the power of sin. We now have the knowledge and ability—through the Holy Spirit—to no longer be slaves to sin. This means salvation has an ongoing application in our lives.

5) We will be saved one day once Christ returns to redeem us from this fallen world and to his side

Despite the price of our salvation being paid, it is not yet consummated. We are still waiting to be saved from the flesh and the world. We are waiting for that day when the incorruptible is known and we can dwell in fulness with our Lord and saviour. In that day, we will be able to truly say that we are saved.