The subject of Salvation is one of the cardinal parts of the Christian faith; but an attempt to explain the experience has brought more controversies than clarity.
My personal story wasn’t any different.

I received Jesus into my heart, after reading Goodmorning Holy Spirit Benny Hinn, in Lagos. Then when I began to attend church, there was always this contemplation of whether I still needed to go for an altar call or not.
This plague bedeviled me for a long while as I tried HARD to please God. I quit certain habits, stopped wearing certain kinds of clothes, food etc…because I didn’t want Him to leave me.

This is why I can relate so well with people with a singular goal on earth; to live right in order to make Heaven. Truth is, if we know better, we will act better.
WHAT IS SALVATION?
Salvation in the New Testament of Scripture is gotten from a Hebrew word; soteria which means deliverance, health, defence.
In English, salvation is gotten from save. The same word “save” (sozo) is used all through the New Testament to mean the same thing. That is, to heal, preserve and make whole.

This means the kind of Salvation given God is in totality. It includes preservation, healing and wholeness. God never does anything incompletely.

It is finished! Jesus did it all for us.

It should be driven into our subconscious minds that everything is whole and finished in Christ; regardless of our individual input and perception.
WHO REALLY GETS SAVED?
Ephesians 2:5 KJV
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, ( grace ye are saved;)
I’m totally in love with this Scripture. Our salvation was completed, we were raised up in Christ, even while we were sinners.

Being quickened in Christ has nothing to do with our works. Let’s see more!
Ephesians 2:8 KJV
For grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
You can never gain Salvation; it is freely given.
A dear mentor and friend put it like this: “why think you can lose a thing you never gained?”
Controversial right? Let me explain further.
Romans 5:8-10 KJV
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved his life.
Romans 5:8-11 (MSG)

Now that

HOW DO YOU BECOME SAVED?
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
That 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. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
You are saved grace, through faith. Faith is the foundational basis of our work in God; and it works love. We remain safely assured in His love for us.

We never merited or will merit his love; so why think your works would keep Him with you?
BUT WHY THEN DO PEOPLE GO TO HELL?
Hebrews 2:3 KJV
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken the Lord, and was confirmed unto us them that heard him ;
People don’t go to hell because God is necessarily mad at them. What/who shall separate us from the love of God?
The singular reason why people go to hell is Negligence.

They neglect the saving grace of God. It is the lack of knowledge that keeps men away from God, not God away from man (Ouch!)
Let’s get more illustrative:
Whenever you commit an act that is considered sinful, you get convicted. When it is repeated, you feel guilty and lost your face before God. You would be unable to pray and confidently do God.

Conviction is good, and is proof that God’s Spirit is within.

Condemnation and Guilt are not.
Romans 8:1 KJV
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
As you feel guilty and condemned, you get self absorbed. The focus shifts from Jesus to you, and all your unworthiness. That’s never the plan.

Galatians 2:20 KJV
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We would never be perfect, except in Christ.

HOW TO BE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF SIN (ASSURANCE OF SALVATION)
1 John 4:18 KJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Love is, and would always be the key. Our love for God constrains us, not fear of condemnation. It is the love of God in us that makes us seek Him and do all for His pleasure (as we were created)

Revelation 4:11 KJV
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Pleasing the King is why we are in this Kingdom. It is all unto Christ.
God is not mad at you. He loves with with an everlasting love, and calls you name. He is always concerned about you. This is the strength of our confidence in Him.
Approach God from a perspective of love.

Galatians 5:6 KJV
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh love.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.