What is Salvation?
That is a great question. In fact that is the single most important question that you will ever ask. Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? That is a thought provoking rhetorical question. The answer of course is it will profit you nothing. In the end the richest man in the world really has nothing. He can take none of it with him, and unless he gets saved all he has is an eternity in hell.
1st you need to understand that there is a need to be saved. Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Every one of us is born a sinner. We all do wrong things and think wrong thoughts.
2nd there is an eternal destination for all unforgiven sinners. Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Notice unbelieving and lying are in the same list as other horrible sinners. No Sin is allowed into heaven. Even the unforgiven sin of a lie is all it takes.
3rd God does not want you to go there. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
4th Understand that you need to repent Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Three things are connected here. Repentance, Conversion and Forgiveness of sin. You need to no longer want to be in your sin. You need to feel bad about your sin. You need to have a repentant heart. You must turn from your sin and turn to Jesus.
5th You need to shut out all the worldly voices and just listen to Jesus. Jesus Said, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. and Jesus said, Ye must be born again.(that is being changed by God. It is a spiritual birth. Changed from being dead in trespasses and sins to being made spiritually alive) Jesus also said, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
6th In faith you must call upon Him to save you. You have to ask. Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Salvation is turning from sin and turning to God (repentance) Being converted is God changing you. Salvation is realizing you are a sinner and in faith calling upon God to save you.
Always remember God Loves You.