Our Words: Decoding “Christianese”

Sometimes church language sounds familiar, but we’re not always sure what it actually means. Words like saved, repent, or born again can feel loaded, confusing, or even intimidating. In Mark 1:15, Jesus cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of the gospel:

“The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:15)

So what do these words really mean?

Saved

To be saved isn’t about being rescued from a bad day—it’s about being rescued from separation from God.

It means God steps in, through Jesus, to bring us back into relationship with Him. We don’t save ourselves; God does the saving.

Saved = restored relationship with God through Jesus.

Repent

Repentance is more than feeling sorry.

The word literally means to change your mind and direction. It’s a turning—away from sin and self-rule, and toward God and His ways.

Repent = turn around and move toward God.

Justified

To be justified means to be declared right with God.

Not because we earned it, but because Jesus took our place. God looks at us through Christ and says, “Not guilty.”

Justified = made right with God because of Jesus.

Born Again

Being born again doesn’t mean becoming a different personality—it means receiving new spiritual life.

It’s the moment God makes us alive on the inside through His Spirit.

Born again = starting a new life with God from the inside out.

New Creation

Scripture tells us:

“If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This doesn’t mean we instantly become perfect—but it does mean our identity changes.

Our past no longer defines us. We are no longer living for ourselves, but from Christ.

New creation = new identity, new purpose, new direction.

To be in Christ means everything changes:

Our status (saved and justified)

Our direction (repentance)

Our life (born again)

Our identity (new creation)

The gospel isn’t about learning religious words—it’s about living a transformed life because Jesus has drawn near.