As He told us Himself, as the Father loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. It's John 15:9, 10, and 14. See, there's nothing mechanical here at all. It's all about love. This is what the New Testament teaches about salvation, and this is what the early Christians believed about salvation.