I hold in my hand right now. A book that says all you have to do to be saved is “simply to believe and receive.” And then it gives the following prayer that you’re supposed to pray.
Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me.
The reader is supposed to believe that saying this prayer will save them. This is nonsense. Saying a prayer makes no difference at all. The Bible actually teaches you must repent and believe (Matt 3:2; Mark 1:15: 6:12; Luke 3:13; Act 3:19: 2 Cor 7:20). But then, who reads the Bible. I mean really.
No Salvation requires a change of heart. That means that a person must change from being self-centered to being god-centered. That doesn’t happen by saying words out of your mouth. That takes a move of God in the heart of the person.
Unfortunately, this idea of saying the sinner’s prayer, and then you’re saved, is so widespread that there are many who call themselves Christians that are not. Being a Christian means to become totally committed to God through Jesus Christ.
And faith is not accepting certain statements about Christ as true. Real faith is the “[absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ” (Gal 2:16 AMP). It is trusting a person, not accepting a doctrine. Mouthing words is not enough.
Even the word conversion means to turn around. It’s like you’re walking in One direction, and then you turn around and walk a completely different direction. That’s conversion, that salvation, that’s what people really need. A change from a self-centered life to a God-centered life. You won’t get that just saying a prayer.