“Sozo” is the Greek word for salvation, yet its root meaning goes beyond just the forgiveness of sins.
According to Strong’s Concordance, Sozo also carries the idea of being physically healed of diseases and being delivered from your enemy. In the spiritual sense, that enemy is the devil and his demons.
Salvation, then, must mean more than simply being saved to go to heaven when you die. To be biblically saved means there are also earthly effects on our lives today. Not only are you free from the judgment and wrath of God, this salvation also includes the ability to resist temptations to sin in pursuit of Christ-likeness, to be set free from demonic attacks and oppression, and to receive healing in our physical bodies. These are listed among the many promises of God in the scriptures. For example,
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…” (Psalm 103:2-4)
and
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)
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