Many people suppose that Salvation and Religion are the same thing. This is a mistake. Salvation and religion are by no means identical. One may have a great deal of religion without having a bit of salvation.
Indeed the Bible does speak of a religion which is "pure and undefiled," but even this religion is not salvation. It is only a product of salvation. The Bible frequently warns against religion as a substitute for salvation.
The dictionary will tell you that the word "religion" is derived from a root word meaning "to heed" or "to have care." It is the exact opposite of "neglect." One should take heed, and have care for the things of God; but even this will avail nothing unless it leads to salvation.
Religion, by itself, is death. Salvation is life. How is salvation obtained? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tells us in His words to Nicodemus: "Ye must be born again."
There is no other way.
No one gets salvation by "getting religion," nor by "joining the church," nor by "turning over a new leaf and trying to serve God," nor by praying, nor by confessing his sins, nor by sorrow for sin, nor by asking God to forgive his sins. By none of these means is salvation obtained.
Salvation is obtained through definitely receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior. The instant this is really done salvation is an accomplished fact. In John 1:11, 1211He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:11‑12) we read: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
The next verse tells what happens to those who "receive Him," that is, those who "believe on His name." They are at once "born... of God."
Just so it is today. As many as receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, giving up all else and cleaving only to Him for salvation, are instantly and forever saved. His own declaration of John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24) stands good through all times: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life."
Salvation is in three tenses: first, the past tense. When one takes the Lord Jesus Christ as his own Savior, he may at once and ever after truly say, "I am saved!" Putting the matter in the past tense as to the time, he is correct in saying, "Then and there I was saved!" This work is instantaneous. It is salvation from the penalty of sin.
There is the present tense. When a man is born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work in him, both to will and to do of God's good pleasure, and to conform him to the image of Christ. This work is progressive; it is salvation from the power of sin.