Elements Of Salvation

What must one do in order to be saved? I think the Bible makes it clear that in order to leave the realm of darkness and come into the kingdom of light all one has to do is simply believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and confess that He is Lord.

John 3:16 -

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Acts 16:31 -

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you
and your household.”

Romans 10:9-10 -

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Yet belief is much more than lip service. You cannot say a magical prayer that will change the course of your destiny. God is not interested in what you say. He is interested in repentance. While God only requires that we believe, if we truly believe we will repent. We will willingly turn from our wicked ways, and take up our cross and follow Him.

So there are 2 main essential elements in obtaining salvation:

1. Believe that Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God, and that God raised Him from the dead.
2. Confess with your mouth that He is (your) Lord

The third ingredient is repentance. Simply stated, repentance is a natural by-product of believing an confessing.

After all, Satan and all of the demons believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. They believe that God raised Him from the dead. And one day they'll even confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord. So logically, wouldn't one assume that Satan is saved? Obviously I'm being facetious to make a point. Without true repentance, men cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

James 2:18-20 -

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?