I'll give this a shot...You're right, you're not saved by a prayer or just practicing the teachings of Jesus. Some would say that's just religion. You can live by rules and imitation of righteousness but those without intimate personal relationship with God are lost. True salvation brings about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and sanctification which will change you from the inside out. You'll want to know more about God. About his Son Jesus and the perfect sinless life he lived and you'll want to please Him by following in His example and keeping His commandments. You'll want to tell Him all that's on your mind and seek His counsel in prayer and through His word. You'll want to share what you know about Him with others. There will be evidence of your salvation and sanctification. Old sins won't have the same appeal or will leave you ashamed and troubled far more than before. Should you turn back to sinful living and ignore the relationship you established with Christ when you surrendered your life to Him, you can count of Him to either correct you and bring you back to Him while still on Earth or He may just call you home to Heaven amidst your failing. That's right. Rather than watch you fall into depravity of sin God may choose to end your mortal life sooner than expected. Harsh but this life is but a vapor and your soul is everlasting and worth preserving from a sinful slide. That said, if you've turned from your relationship with God for a time, slandered His name and lived like the lost, and have realized your mistake, the answer is as simple as when you first surrendered... pray to Him and seek His forgiveness. You are His child, He loves you, and He has never forgotten that, even if you did. Repent of your wrongdoing and He will forgive you and welcome you back into His arms and relationship with Him.
John 10:27-30 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
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