It was Christ who said He who gives so much as a drink of water in my name shall by no means loose their reward in heaven. The reward is for our deeds but salvation is there regardless for those who believe. Our ransom or payment for our sins has done been paid as the price was set at the cross and agreed upon. We can not repay our salvation. No deed of labor we can do is enough to purchase our salvation and no punishment we could take for our sins can possibly take them away. That leaves only one way. Through Jesus alone are we saved.
There is lots of confusion between the different major Christian Churches, especially in their doctrine and vocabulary, building upon one another.
Redemption, properly stated, was directed at sin and performed by our Lord Jesus on the Cross. It was a universal redemption (not a universal salvation).
Redemption is required, in order for a Just and righteous God to provide salvation.
Forgiveness, now becomes the issue for the sinner, who now considers the Gospel.
Once we return to God and confess our sin to Him, even for the first acceptance of Him, then the believer is POSITIONALLY sanctified, i.e. saved by faith alone in Christ alone.
We are not saved because of our faith, rather we are saved through our Faith, by His work in us.