Name: Kaitlyn
Question: Is someone saved in the moment that they mentally, internally repent and put their faith in Jesus OR is one saved in the moment when they physically carry out their repentance and put an end to sinful patterns in their life?
Answer: Kaitlyn, thank you for the question, it’s an interesting one.
In simplistic terms, once we ‘confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved,’ (Romans 10:9). Essentially, you’re talking about “faith and works.”
All right, let’s talk about the details.
James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Faith certainly saves us, right?
However, there is much more to faith than just “believing.” There are many people who “believe” in Jesus. Even the evil spirits “believe” in Jesus, but they are not going to be saved, (Matthew 8:29).
So that alone tells us, there is much more than just “believing” in Jesus. I really dive into that thought here, “Is Believing In Jesus Enough To Be Saved?” That study will thoroughly answer your question.
If someone “mentally, internally” repents and places their faith in Jesus. That would mean, they have ceased from their sins, and they are saved, in that moment.
However, if the next day, they sin again, then they have fallen from the grace of God. They may have truly intended to stop their sinful ways, but they once again fell short.
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Look what we find in Romans,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So the individual doesn’t need to accept Jesus again, we all know what John 3:16 says, but they do need to repent from the sin, and cease from the sin.
If someone continually performs the same sin over and over again, then they really don’t want to quit, and when they repent, it truly has no meaning. Look, God is the judge, but God also knows our heart, (1 Samuel 16:7). No one can fool God.
So the official answer, John 3:16 and Romans 10:9.
Romans 10:9
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.
One simply confessing their acceptance of Jesus Christ means they will be saved.
Let me share with you one of my favorite verses…
Luke 23:42-43
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
In verse 42, one of the men being crucified with Jesus made that statement, and Jesus told him, he will be with Christ today in paradise. The man was instantly saved, Jesus must have known the man’s heart, and that the man’s intent was true and honest.
It’s a great reminder, of how salvation is instant.