Why is it significant that salvation is not transactional?

In contrast to the transactional nature of the pagan worship that surrounded Paul in Athens, the gospel presents a non-transactional relationship with God. The essence of the Christian faith is founded on the completed work of Christ where He paid the penalty for sin entirely on our behalf. This underscores that we, as believers, bring nothing but our sin to God, and in return, we receive His mercy and grace freely. The significance lies in the freedom it provides from the constant striving to appease a deity, as seen in other religions, and instead offers a relationship rooted in gratitude for the sacrificial love of Christ.