Salvation

This is a strong term with a specific meaning. Salvation is the result of Christ's act on the cross which he did not have to do but chose to anyway. Salvation is the grace and mercy of Christ washing over our sin so that we can stand before God with a clean slate, not because of what we have done but because of Christ has done. Salvation is a free gift we just have to surrender our own selfish sinful desires/natures and accept Christ as our Lord and savior. This is the first step, once you have surrendered your life to Christ that's done the game is not to surrender more and more. At this point is where effort comes in Christ gives us many commandments that we are to follow we are to strive to be as much like him as possible. We are still sinners and we mess up a lot but being a christian means we have to get back up and make every effort to obey Christ. Salvation does not mean a life of ease if this your train of thought you probably haven't really come to Christ accepting him also means to place yourself in servitude under him and he has many things for us to do, and while they may seem strange or unpleasant God has the very best in store for his sheep because like all good shepherds he loves his flock and has great plans for it.