What Does Sozo Mean?

The Greek word "sozo" was used over a hundred times in the New Testament and truly is an all-encompassing word often rendered to mean “save” or “saved.” But a closer look at the Bible shows us that salvation includes much more than just the forgiveness of sins. Bible scholars teach us that this tiny word, "sozo", means a whole bunch of awesome things. We learn that it means forgiveness, healing, and total deliverance through Christ’s saving power. In other words, sozo means being made whole through Jesus and the ability to receive abundantly from Him right now. Therefore, "sozo" truly is the meaning of life.

"Sozo" refers to the healing of our bodies, the protection of our minds, the deliverance of the souls, as well as financial prosperity. Many in the modern church have interpreted salvation only to be forgiveness of sins, but that’s a misrepresentation of what the Lord did. Forgiveness of our sins is certainly the centerpiece and we do not minimize this point. However, at the same time Christ died to purchase our redemption from sin, He also freed us from sickness, disease, depression, and poverty.

Jesus became poor so that we through His poverty might be made rich—abundantly supplied. Through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, God has provided everything we need in this life now AND in the life to come—forgiveness of sins, healing, deliverance, and prosperity. Isn’t God good!?

Sozo - A Biblical Analysis

"[Jesus] gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." - Galatians 1:4

Jesus gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world—not just the evil world to come.

Many people think that what Jesus produced through His death, burial, and resurrection only affects the spiritual, eternal realm. Because of this, they come up with song lyrics referring to when all of us get to heaven, what a day it will be. Of course it will be glorious in heaven, but Jesus also came to deliver us from this present evil world. We’re not just saved from hell, our sins, and future punishment—Jesus also came to deliver, protect, and provide for us in this physical world right now.

An All-Encompassing Word

The Greek word sozo was used over a hundred times in the New Testament. It’s an all-encompassing word for salvation, often rendered “save” or “saved.” However, a closer look at how this important word was translated makes it very clear that our salvation includes much more than just forgiveness of sins. Sozo was translated “save” thirty-eight times in reference to the forgiveness of sins. Some examples include:

"She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save [sozo] his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save [sozo] them that believe."
1 Corinthians 1:21

"Wherefore he is able also to save [sozo] them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

Forgiven, Healed, and Delivered

Sozo was translated another fifty-three times as “saved” (past tense) in reference to forgiveness of sins. However, there were also times where this exact same Greek word was translated as “healed.”

"[Jairus] besought [ Jesus] greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed [sozo]; and she shall live." Mark 5:23

This word “healed” is referring to physical healing. As the story unfolds, Jairus’ daughter actually died, and Jesus raised her from the dead. (Mark 5:35–43.) So in this instance sozo— “healed”—refers to physical healing, even physical resurrection from the dead.

This same word that’s used for both forgiveness of sins and physical healing also applies to deliverance from demons.

"They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed [sozo]." Luke 8:36

Commonly called the Gadarene demoniac, nobody could hold this man. In fact, he often broke the very chains which bound him. Sometimes deliverance from demons is necessary for someone to receive healing. That is included in this word sozo.

"The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed [sozo]." Acts 14:9

Paul beheld this crippled man and perceived that he had faith to be healed [sozo], and he was (vv. 8–10).

Christ’s Saving Power

Here is a classic example of Christ’s saving power manifesting in our lives both as healing and forgiveness of sins.

"The prayer of faith shall save [sozo] the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." James 5:15

In another instance, Jesus knew the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees, so He asked:

"Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save [sozo] life, or to destroy it?" Luke 6:9

When they didn’t answer, He turned and healed the man with the withered right hand (vv. 8–11). Jesus wasn’t just talking about forgiveness of sins. He meant the healing of the body.

Made Whole

This same word—sozo—was also translated “made whole” in reference to healing. Consider the example of the woman with an issue of blood:

"But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole [sozo]. And the woman was made whole [sozo] from that hour." Matthew 9:22

In faith, she touched the hem of His garment and received healing. She was sozo—made whole. This is the same Greek word that is synonymous with forgiveness of sin. Here again, it’s applied to being healed physically.

This same instance, recorded in the book of Mark, reveals that right before she reached out to Jesus, she said:

"If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole [sozo]." Mark 5:28

Sozo was translated “make whole” or “be whole” eleven times in scripture. It’s obvious from God’s Word that salvation isn’t limited only to the forgiveness of sins.

"And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole [sozo]." Mark 6:56

When Jesus heard the news that Jairus’ daughter had died, He answered him, saying:

"Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole [sozo]." Luke 8:50

The Lord was referring to the healing of her physical body.

Abundantly Supplied

Salvation doesn’t only mean forgiveness of sins, but includes healing of the body, deliverance, and financial prosperity, too. Many in the modern church have interpreted salvation only to be forgiveness of sins, but that’s a misrepresentation of what the Lord did. Forgiveness of our sins is certainly the centerpiece, and I’m not minimizing it at all. However, at the same time Christ died to purchase our redemption from sin, He also freed us from sickness, disease, depression, and poverty.

Second Corinthians 8:9 is very clear concerning the atonement and our redemption from poverty:

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Jesus became poor so that we through His poverty might be made rich—abundantly supplied. Through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, God has provided everything we need in this life and in the life to come—forgiveness of sins, healing, deliverance, and prosperity. Isn’t God good!?

Activate Your Dreams

✍️ CONFIDENCE 💪🏻

I want to share something I learned about CONFIDENCE which is absolutely necessary to ACTIVATE YOUR DREAMS. 🌟✨💫🤩

It's the "lack" of confidence that keeps us blocked. Most likely, you'll need to LET GO of some of things you're involved with (and maybe even some of the people in your circles) in order to go where you want to go...

Does the idea of doing this FRIGHTEN you?

Often, we get LOST in the expectations of others, which then takes us WAY OFF TRACK of what we're supposed to be doing.

God will challenge you TO BE DIFFERENT than your peers in order to achieve your dream. It's essential that you're able to be YOU at all times.

Confidence is absolutely necessary for greatness. Is your lack of confidence a result of being "parked" at a point of past failure (or pain)?

If so, you'll need to stop looking at yourself in the same way that the world looks at you. Understand that confidence is MORE that just a feeling and that other people's opinions cannot be the source of your confidence.

Instead, confidence is received freely from God whenever we need it. Remember that in your weakness, God is able to make you supernaturally strong.

Confidence doesn't come from ourselves, our previous accomplishments, or other's compliments.

The time has come for you to personally ask God for an INCREASE IN CONFIDENCE in order to accomplish the things that you're passionate about. Then, be prepared to do your part in faith.

You're going to have to take STEP #1 without knowing all the details of STEP #2....

Sounds scary, right? But we must have trust in God's process:

You invest in you dreams by staying COMMITTED to the ongoing work, despite what others might say about what you're working on. Rely on God (not others) to keep going.

The, we need to exercise PATIENCE. It's important that we give our dreams some time to grow and mature (so that God can do His thing and involve the right people)...and eventually, you'll see rewards that you couldn't EVER have imagined!

ARE YOU READY TO WINK AT THE IMPOSSIBLE? 😉💕

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." 
- Joshua 1:9 (AMP)

🙌🙌🙌

Why Pursue Soul Healing?

The Roots of People Pleasing
by Jenny Spontak

Often, when we experience anger, fear, worry, depression, anxiety, loneliness or stress – we shut down these feelings by distracting ourselves. Our flesh tends to shy away from things (or feelings) that cause us pain. However, this natural-born defense mechanism [ignoring our wounds] only keeps us stuck and in bondage. The truth is that “soul wounds” are exactly what keeps us stuck and from walking in the fullness that God intended for our lives.

In Isaiah 61, the Bible describes a prophecy that Jesus fulfilled when He came to earth. It’s also a legacy that He left for us to embrace, experience and share with others. The good news of the gospel of Peace results when we allow the Holy Spirit to help us dig up the “roots” [past pain] of our own soul wounds.

Many people ask me why I’m so interested in looking back at my past pain. They say, “That sounds awful. Why would I put myself through that?”

Here’s my answer:

When you walk in the beauty that results from giving up your “ashes” [soul wounds, past pain] to Jesus, you won’t be able to contain your joy about the healing power available to all who believe! Jesus died on the cross and rose again to forgive our sins and heal our broken hearts.

Isaiah 53:5 explains, “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our guilt and iniquities [soul wounds resulting from sin]; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.”

Jesus not only sacrificed His life (saving us from the punishment of sin) so that we could live eternally in Heaven, but also so we could receive healing now – from the devastation and destruction that remains in our souls!

By seeking the Lord and growing in the knowledge of His Word, I’m realizing the importance that God places on healing our soul wounds. He desires to work in us (and through us) to reach the hurting souls we encounter through our relationships. God also knows that wounded healers are at the highest risk of enemy attack. Satan tries to prevent them from thinking about difficult things from their pasts for one colossal reason: healing means freedom (and we know that the devil certainly doesn’t want us to experience that!) You’ll also find that the enemy works overtime to keep us from seeking God in the first place – warning us not to be vulnerable about our brokenness. So then, how do we dispel these lies of the enemy? Through God’s Word.

In order to positively affect others for Christ, we must fully embrace the healing process for ourselves. We need to keep in mind that the number of people we can help is the same number of people we can hurt! Isaiah 61 is a great chapter to study about soul healing – it helps us to understand the healing process as a whole and that peace that is available to all of us. As I observe Christians (myself included) trying to minister to those who appear far from faith, I often notice that it’s the wounds from the past getting in the way of the future.

For example, if you carry a root of rejection (which I did) when you feel rejected by others, the emotional pain takes control and you might end up saying something you regret in the moment. The devil is a master at working through people to push their buttons and wants ruin their witness! This is why Jesus took the punishment – to heal that root of rejection [soul wound] – so that we can regain power over our emotions – becoming the true witnesses He died for us to be!

Personally, the root of rejection that I subconsciously carried in my soul led to a pattern of people pleasing in all my relationships. The fear of being rejected drove me to constantly keep people “happy” so that they would think well of me. I didn’t realize that by doing this, I was actually seeking love through the acceptance of others rather than God! I would go out of my way for others in order to gain their approval – creating one-sided friendships that would eventually fall apart. In these relationships, I struggled to understand why I was met with anger or jealousy when I sought their support. It took some time for me to see that I was contributing to this pattern by putting the other person on a pedestal. When I needed something, they just weren’t able to reciprocate and then I would get very hurt and upset because that’s not how I was treating them.

When I finally turned to God for answers, the Holy Spirit showed me that my motivation to please people was actually rooted in selfishness. How? By sacrificially pouring into these relationships to gain love and acceptance for myself, not purely to bless the other person. By subconsciously attaching “strings” to my giving, I would ultimately sabotage the friendships. Because the dynamic of my relationships were one-sided, I was attracted to friends who were not able to give back. Unknowingly, the fear of rejection (manifested through my people pleasing) was what was leading me directly into the very rejection that I was fearing! By spending time with God [receiving His love and acceptance], the wounds in my heart have been healed. Now, I’m able to have healthy “give-and-take” relationships without expecting so much in return. Since I know I’m loved by God, I am free to love others!

When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, He gives us a helper, the Holy Spirit, Who comes and lives in our spirits – revealing the “roots” of the emotional soul wounds we’re carrying in our hearts. As we continue to allow the Holy Spirit to uncover the roots of our pain, we are healed through the blood and resurrection power of Christ, and we know the joy of our salvation!

Isaiah 61:1 tells us that Jesus came to “preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He was sent to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives, and open up the prisoner’s eyes of those who are bound.”

Isaiah 61:3 goes on to explain that when you “give up your ashes” [sin, guilt, shame, selfishness, self-pity, fears, anxieties, disappointments, rejection, soul wounds, hurts, trauma, stress, etc…] and “receive God’s beauty” [gift of righteousness, see 2 Corinthians 5:21]; you’re able to let go of the heavy burdens, despair, failing spirits, soul pain, generational patterns of wrong thinking, negative habits, character flaws]. It is then you will be called “oaks of righteousness,” the planting of the Lord [Jesus] in your heart and He will be glorified.”

You’ll be full of the joy and peace that accompanies freedom from soul wounds.

Isaiah 61:4 uses the words “rebuild, raise up, and renew the ruined cities – devastations of many generations.” The Holy Spirit accomplishes the rebuilding of our foundation when we allow Christ to be the anchor of our souls [soul-mate]. We must permit the Holy Spirit to raise up the former desolations – the pain from our past – so that Christ’s blood can clean up the soul wounds. Through the healing process, the Holy Spirit renews the devastations of generational curses in our blood lines.

And that, my friends, is pretty big deal. Now, let’s examine some more of God’s promises:

The remaining verses of Isaiah 61, (5-11) drive home the benefits we experience after engaging in the healing process. “You’ll find favor with people you don’t even know.” (61:5). We will be called “priests of the Lord” (61:6) in the same way that 1 Peter 2:5 refers to us as a royal priesthood. Isaiah 61:7 says, “Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense, instead of dishonor and reproach, you shall rejoice in your portion.” Isaiah 61:8 goes on to confirm that the Lord loves justice; He makes wrong things right! Then, God promises in Isaiah 61:9 to “take care of you and your offspring. All will recognize and acknowledge that the Lord has blessed you.”

The gratitude you will feel is then expressed in Isaiah 61:10; “I will rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God, for He has clothed me in the garments of salvation – He continues to deliver me and restores my soul as I walk with Him daily. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” This verse tells me that my new identity, value, and right standing with God are found in Christ. Isaiah 61:11 concludes with, “as surely as we sow our ashes as seeds, the Lord will cause rightness and justice, and praise to spring forth before all people.”

And that, is a pretty giant promise my friends and precisely why we all need soul healing ….so that we’re able to experience more peace, enjoy everyday life and continue witnessing to the others that God shows us we can impact.

7 Things God Showed Me

1.  A life without Christ is no life at all. So what are you waiting for? Go and spread the Good News!  Based on this simple truth, how can I live with myself if I chose NOT tell people about Jesus? There is no mission more important than sharing the truth about Christ with the people that we love that need to know Him!

2. I am truly nothing without Christ.  It is only through Him that all things become possible, therefore I give Him ALL the glory and honor.  Anything that I accomplish in this world is only because God allowed it to happen by giving me the tools.  That’s awesome (and humbling).

3.  Many Christians will fall short in reaching their full spiritual maturity because they won’t take the time to get all the healing they need.  Therefore, I am on a mission to help others know about and achieve “SOZO” (a Greek word meaning “to be made whole through Jesus Christ”).

4.  No one accepts the truth without the existence of love.  Therefore, I needed to learn how to better RECEIVE HIS LOVE so that I could truly love God, myself and other people with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  When people genuinely know that we love them, care about them, and want them to feel better, then they are more inclined to accept the truth from us.

5.  Be authentic and stop people pleasing. This one required that I start looking at my own motives for being involved in certain activities. I also had to learn how to prioritize according to what the Holy Spirit was showing me and set appropriate boundaries with people who tended to take advantage of me.  This was difficult because I was addicted to the approval of others.  I also was worried about what people thought about me if I acted like my true self.  But it was well worth the effort to starting trying to only please God and not people anymore, but boy is that a MIND SHIFT!  And you know what the truth is? People actually like me better now that I stopped trying so hard to impress them!  (Well, most people... not the ones that are too busy criticizing everyone else so they don't have to look at themselves!)

6.  Satan is a much bigger threat to us than we want to admit. We are so quick to blame others for our troubles rather than recognize that it is the ENEMY who feeds us lies and uses other people to steal our joy.  The devil patiently schemes to destroy God’s beautiful plans for us. I have learned how to overcome many negative thoughts by lining them up with God’s Word.  It is unbelievable what the enemy tries to get us to believe about ourselves so we behave badly!

7.  Prayer is so powerful.  Especially when spoken out loud in faith.  The thought of praying for myself or others out loud used to feel so unbelievably foreign.  So awkward.  I felt so inadequate trying to think of the right words...and honestly, I even felt kind of stupid doing it.  But by learning to "get over myself" mostly by watching others pray who I knew first-hand had insurmountable success, I decided to keep t at it.  With lots of practice, courage and of course SEEING THE "FRUIT" (or positive changes in my life...) I kept at it.  I recently looked at some old journals of prayers and realized that first of all, God did not care about the words I was using, but what was troubling my heart, mind and soul. Secondly, he loves to ANSWER PRAYERS when we earnestly come to Him to communicate.  Prayer is MY PART.  By activating the words, I open up the door for God to do His part.