What kind of believing does God require for salvation?
God requires heart belief, an inward attitude rather than outward works. A person must believe in the heart that Christ died, was buried, and rose again, and that God raised Him from the dead. That believing is joined with verbal confession of the Lord Jesus, and God promises salvation.
Les explains that salvation is not merely assumed because God can read the heart. Rather, a person should verbally call on Him and say, “Lord, I want you to save me. I believe that what you’ve done, you’ve done on my behalf.” The context says to confess with thy mouth verbally the Lord Jesus. Believing, Les teaches, is not something done with hands or feet; it is an attitude of the heart. It includes believing in the heart that God raised Him from the dead, which implies Christ died. The promise attached is, “Thou shalt be saved.”
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
More Questions
Is mentally believing in God enough, or does God want more?
A mental ascent such as merely saying 'I believe in God' is not what God is looking for; God is looking for a verbalization of all the various steps.
Is just saying 'I believe in God' enough, or does God want more?
A mere mental assent—saying 'I believe in God'—is not what God is looking for.
What must a person realize before God responds to his cry for salvation?
Before a needy sinner cries out to God, he must first realize that he is in need; when he comes to that realization and cries out, God responds.
What is the condition for salvation in Romans 10:9?
Paul teaches in Romans 10:9 that salvation comes by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.