Here is where our discussion of free will comes into play. It also explains the true nature of salvation. It's by faith alone. Our faith in Jesus, and our ability to love and be loved by Him. We can chose at any time to not, and do what we want. It's our choice to be righteous or not. We can chose to be saved by God by denying ourselves, or we can do what we want which leads to drag queen story hours. But we have to also understand that this is a gift. Not something we "earn". If we earned it, then we saved ourselves. God is offering us the helping hand, our only role in the process is to accept the hand given and follow. The example is given of Abraham. I won't go into the full story of Abraham because that would require a new breakdown from the book of Genesis. However an easy story to show just how much faith he had was that he was willing to kill his only son because God would command it. He was old, had no other children, but knew that God's promise to father a nation through him would be fulfilled even if he was to return to God what he had been given. He could have said no, fuck that, that makes no sense. But he CHOSE to do what God said, even before Moses had given this law to the people. No circumcision. No funny hats. No foods considered unclean. His faith is why God pegged him as a good person, holy in His eyes. Romans 4: 4 Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[a] 4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. Romans 4: 9 Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?[c] Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. 10 But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! Romans 4: 13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. Romans 4: 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.