Salvation is a gift from God, but as a gift it must be consciously received (accepted) by us. God does not force himself on us. As did Adam, we have the free will to accept or reject Him. We accept His gift by believing that Jesus Christ is God and that he has atoned for our sins through his death.

The Bible teaches clearly that salvation is given freely to all that accept it, but it can't be "earned" through good works, obtained through church membership, religious ritual, baptism, confession to priests (I Timothy 2:5), or any other human effort.

Ephesians 2:8-9 By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not works, lest any man should boast.

Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (No conditions, other than acceptance of Jesus Christ, are put on salvation.)

Consider this logic offered in Galatians: If it were possible for a person to enter heaven through his or her own efforts then it would not have been necessary for Christ to suffer the pain and agony of the cross.

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

God's gift of salvation must be accepted by faith. The word "believe" means more than an intellectual knowledge of the existence of Christ. "Believe" means to trust and rely on Christ totally, versus any other means of obtaining salvation.

Along with the "head" (intellectual) knowledge of God's plan of salvation, there must be true "heart" acceptance of Christ. A manifestation of this acceptance is sincere repentance of sin. The person who admits to God that he or she is a sinner deserving of Hell, and comes to Jesus with a humble spirit, truly repentant of sin, will be saved for all eternity.

Romans 10:9 If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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