Hang on. When I am talking about asking Jesus for salvation.. I do mean that it comes from the heart! Just saying a bunch of words - like repeating back what someone else says.. ain't it. But consider these verses:
Rom 10:8-13 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
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.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
notice- salvation through confessing that Jesus is Lord from the heart.. calling out to Jesus for salvation. And that from doing this a person is saved.. and shall (will) not be ashamed.
(Joh 3:14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
(Joh 3:16-18) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.. the word believe when you look at the Greek on which it is based.. means to commit or entrust..
So.. entrusting your salvation with Jesus .. He then will not condemn you.
This isn't a Santa Claus fluffy Jesus.. this is a Jesus who pays for your sins past present and future by His sacrifice on the Cross..
if you think that there are requirements after salvation to keep it: what about this?
(Col 2:13-15) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
There are no HAVE tos with Christianity.. that is what makes it different from religion.. no rituals requirement.. no special tasks.. it is a personal relationship with Jesus..
I know what you will say.. that I think you can go and do whatever you want.. well
the truth is that those who believe that they are truly free also understand how much grace has been given to make them free.. and so want to serve God out of the love He has for them. If you know you are completely secure in Him.. would you not love that and love Him?
Repentance.. is a change of mind.. this happens initially at salvation.. acknowledging you are a sinner and need saving.. Jesus then seals you with the Holy Spirit. This is saving faith.. Romans chapter 10, Acts chapter 2.. many many verses in John.. verses in Colossians etc..
Then there is daily faith.. which is not dependent on salvation.. sanctification .. following Jesus.. this is where 'faith without works is dead' comes in.. where if you don use your faith to help others it is dormant and unused.. not lost.. not that you never had it. Remember that for the verse 'faith without works is dead' the context is about acts of service.. not receiving eternal life from Jesus.
Abraham was justified by works in that God accepted His act as a righteous act pleasing God.
Abraham was not justified by works in that he was eternally saved by this act.
Rahab was justified by works in that when she hid those men.... God was pleased with her righteous act toward Him.
Rahab was not justified by works in that she was eternally saved by this act.
This is the key distinction.. saving faith and daily faith.. they are not dependent on each-other.
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not (will not) perish, but have eternal life. Remember that shall in the bible carries with it a much more certain meaning of WILL than todays English- check out the Greek behind the word 'shall'
If Jesus says that if someone believes in Him.. entrusts their salvation with Him.. Has eternal life.. then they do!