I believe in coming to realize one has sinned, a repentance, and a belief that Christ has died for our sins.
"The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
Good, to the point answer. And it is the lack of repentance that, so sadly, will cause the "easy believer" to stumble at the Cornerstone and be crushed.
It would seem so very obvious the Lord does not and would not save those who've not repented, will not save anybody who's not had a change of mind and come to agreement with God over sin and the need for a Savior. Save somebody who continues to love the things of the world, who does not even agree with Him? Save one who isn't really even seeking the things of God, with a repentant heart? Give an unrepentant child of the devil the Holy Spirit? Bring an unrepentant child of the devil into the kingdom of heaven? And the Lord knows who the lip-service phonies are (Hebrews 4:12).
There's a whole class of "Christian" "professors, who are not possessors." Otherwise known as virgins without oil in their lamps, not really born again of the Holy Spirit. You'll notice, like "sin" or "hell," how "repentance" is also a dirty word in the Laodicean mega churches, teaching a false gospel of the world that does not, that cannot, really save anybody.
Be warned, Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Definition - Repentance is the work of God which results in a change of mind in respect to man's relationship to God. It is neither sorrow nor penance, though penitent sorrow may lead to a change of mind. Repentance is always an element of saving faith, and repentance involves remorseful acknowledgement of and agreement with God as to our sinful state and need of salvation, a realization of our vile, unclean condition before a God of absolute holiness.
Luke 18
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"When you get saved, you get saved not because you deserve it, but because you simply let God save you and because you confess your own poor sinful state and your inability to save yourself." Dr. John R. Rice
"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership — the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word." Pastor Harry Ironside
Salvation is not touching your TV for Billy Graham, then off, as usual, for drinks all around at the bar, "get out of hell free" card in your back pocket.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
