What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation?
Believing in Jesus Christ for salvation means believing the Gospel: His death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection. That faith receives eternal life and salvation, but it does not benefit a person until they understand they are hopelessly lost, for Scripture has concluded all under sin.
Les explains that lost people are like a little lamb trapped in a crevice with no hope unless the shepherd comes and finds him. Likewise, lost people must understand they are hopelessly lost, and then God can save them—not until. He returns to Galatians 3:22, where Scripture has concluded all under sin so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. That believing is in His death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection, and the result is eternal life and salvation. It is for nothing except believing the Gospel, but believing the Gospel does no good until a person realizes they are lost. Les notes this is especially hard for good people who say they are not that bad; until they realize how lost they are spiritually and what Scripture concludes, God cannot save them. They are without hope and may wake up one day too late. Yet God has forgiven every sin and done everything that needs to be done.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.