Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it.  We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty.  When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  John 14:6

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name...  John 1:12

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit...  Titus 3:5

All passages noted on this page are sourced from the New King James Version bible.