More than poster seemed to indicate they believed when a lost person professed faith, the lost person is then automatically saved by God. In other words, if a lost person "believes," then they are automatically saved. No lost person who "believes" is ever not saved. God does NOT decide whether the lost person's "belief" meets His criteria for election to salvation.
But that view is a destructive heresy. God says salvation does not depend upon the person who wills to be saved or does something to be saved, but upon God's mercy. (Romans 9:16)
The lost person's belief and devotion to Christ is the prerequisite for God crediting that faith in the truth or not. That lost person's faith does not in any way merit or earn salvation, God is NOT required to accept it as meeting His sovereign purpose.
If a lost person chooses to NOT trust in Christ, they have no illusion of salvation according to our gospel. But if a lost person chooses to believe on and trust in Christ, they might think they are saved, and therefore stop seeking the Narrow Door, hence a destructive heresy. Faith without real commitment will NOT get it done. As James taught dead faith must be tossed and live faith sought. It is not the adjoining works that saves, but the deep commitment that brings faith to life.
But that view is a destructive heresy. God says salvation does not depend upon the person who wills to be saved or does something to be saved, but upon God's mercy. (Romans 9:16)
The lost person's belief and devotion to Christ is the prerequisite for God crediting that faith in the truth or not. That lost person's faith does not in any way merit or earn salvation, God is NOT required to accept it as meeting His sovereign purpose.
If a lost person chooses to NOT trust in Christ, they have no illusion of salvation according to our gospel. But if a lost person chooses to believe on and trust in Christ, they might think they are saved, and therefore stop seeking the Narrow Door, hence a destructive heresy. Faith without real commitment will NOT get it done. As James taught dead faith must be tossed and live faith sought. It is not the adjoining works that saves, but the deep commitment that brings faith to life.