America seems to specialize in the selling of shortcuts, of which, there probably isn't a more meaningful shortcut in life, to be bought, if it could be bought, than one's own salvation. And while indulgences are no longer sold to the faithful -- far too many preachers and religious doctrines make it appear far too easy to escape from one's damnable sins and actions in this life, by simply professing some lukewarm belief that by our acceptance of Christ, that we have miraculously therefore been absolved of our sins, and that subsequently we will not have to worry about some sort of eternal damnation. For those that believe such, the just desserts they will surely get, for nothing of significance in this life, comes forth, without the true sacrifice of blood, sweat, and tears; of which, our very own salvation is one of those things that insists upon not only a sincere and concerted effort to accomplish such, but a fierce struggle or wrestling with those demons in our conscience and psyche which have precluded us from previously doing the right thing and from being strong in our personal character. Further to the point, all those that have sinned greatly, must not only give up their former ways, wholly; but have an inherent obligation to make up for what they have done, wrongly; for every step and action taken in the wrong direction, logically necessitates a corresponding step or action in the right direction.
The bottom line is that the salvation that we desire is the salvation that we must achieve; and that achievement is primarily going to come forth from our own efforts, as opposed to being blessed forthwith by some other entity, that supernaturally brings such salvation to us. Remember well, that in this world, we are responsible for running our own race, and thereby no other can run our race for us. This thus means, that we too are responsible for our own salvation, and while others may help to lead us there, and also be of real material aid in pointing us in the right direction to get there, or help us in building the foundation that will be necessary to get there and to remain there, the sustaining effort required is surely our own.
Far too many people claim far too readily that they are saved, or have salvation, but even as they speak those words, they intuitively know such is hollow and void of real meaning. That which costs us little or nothing, in time, in effort, and in diligence, is often not worth much more than nothing. To find that which truly saves, requires personal sacrifice, as well as an acknowledgment that we have been wrong, and thereby a determination that we will keep our concentration in order to do what is right, for those that have been tested and failed, time and time again, are surely not those that have found salvation.
To fall on one's knees and thereby sincerely plead for salvation, is not even getting the job half done, for true salvation necessitates true works of good, and those that have not those works, are never going to be the saved, for they are nothing much more than pathetic imitations of those that talk and mean well, but never get around to performing all the good, that they were surely capable of, and that which still needs to be performed.