it was the Lord Himself who saved them
The Lord provided salvation for the whole world.
Only those who obey the Gospel are regenerated, born again, or “saved” through faith, as well as receive salvation on the Day of the Lord, showing both a past action as well as continued action of obedience to our Lord, are pertinent to receiving everlasting life rather than eternal damnation on the Day of Judgement.
Since you have purified your souls
in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. 1 Peter 1:22-23
again
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who
do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:8
I think John, the Apostle of love, said it best -
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9
again
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:15
When we confess Jesus as Lord, it means we submit to Him as Lord, to obey Him, forever.
JLB