What must a person honestly believe for God to see their faith as salvation?
A person must honestly believe that God Himself paid the penalty for all sin through Christ's cross, trusting that Jesus is alive and His Word is true, with all their heart. When they believe God in this way, God sees that faith as salvation, not works, as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.
Les explains that the Bible speaks of a concerted faith and trust in God's act, that God Himself paid the penalty for all our sin. He illustrates that if you or I had been the only person living, Christ would still have gone to the cross to purchase our redemption. When a person has that kind of faith and can honestly say, 'I believe that with all my heart, and I know He is alive, I know that His Word is true,' then God sees that faith as salvation. Les points to Romans 4, showing Abraham was not saved by works but by faith: he believed God, and God accounted it to him as righteousness; he was a believer. Les contrasts this with those who hear the gospel, are convicted by the Holy Spirit, yet reject it; they are blinded to the truth and embrace Antichrist.