Why is reliance on Christ crucial for salvation?

Relying on Christ is absolutely essential for salvation because He is the only one capable of effecting true heart change. As conveyed in Colossians 1:27, 'Christ in you, the hope of glory,' indicates that salvation is intertwined with the personal indwelling of Christ, bringing life to the believer. Our nature continues to seek Satan's influence without Christ's transformative power, depicted vividly in Matthew 12:43-45. This illustrates that mere religion, or being cleaned up without Christ, leaves one vulnerable to evil returning even stronger. Therefore, reliance on Christ is not just important but fundamental to experiencing salvation and the ongoing work of God in our lives.