What does the Bible say about the cause of salvation?

According to Hebrews 5:9, the writer emphasizes that Christ became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. This underscores that the cause of salvation is not found in human effort or moral reformation but solely in the work of Christ. He is the one who fulfilled the requirements of the law and made atonement for sin, decisively securing redemption for His people. Thus, salvation is relational, based on knowing Christ rather than on our attempts to live righteously or fulfill religious obligations.