Another mistake that is often made is to define salvation separately from knowing God. The question today most often is, "Are you saved?" Knowing God is often thought of as a higher place for those few who desire it, but comfort is taken from the doctrine that at least a person is "saved." Such a concept is not to be found in scripture.
We are saved from a place of sin and separation from God so that we can know and have fellowship with God. We are either in fellowship with God or we are not. There is no middle ground. We are able to repent from sin and turn to God because of what Christ did on the cross. If He had not paid the price of our salvation, there would be no place of repentance. Our only hope would be death and permanent separation from God because of sin.
When we repent and know cleansing in our hearts by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are ready for God to come and indwell us by His Spirit. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask, and the rivers of living water begin to flow in our lives (John 7:37-39). We are now in a condition where we can begin to know God. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).
When we partake of eternal life (God's life), we receive the ability to have fellowship with God and know Him by the Spirit. Many, if not most, have stopped short of this place of knowing, thinking that they know God, but in reality only having heard about God. If we have not partaken of His life, we cannot know God or the things of God (I Corinthians 2:12). This knowing of God is salvation, and it is the only way we can be delivered from sin, ourselves, and this world. He Himself is our salvation. Knowing God is not optional. It is the only place God has provided, and it is open to all who are willing to pay the price. Do we want to know God?