Repentant faith is the requirement. It is not merely a decision to trust Christ for eternal life, but a wholesale forsaking of everything else we trust, and a turning to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• Repent: “Repent, and turn away from all your transgressions” (Ezekiel 18:30). “ ‘I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,’ declares the Lord GOD. ‘Therefore, repent and live’ ” (Ezekiel 18:32 NASB). “God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30 NASB). “Repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20 NASB).
• Turn your heart from all that you know dishonors God: “[Turn] to God from idols to serve a living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Trust Him as Lord and Savior: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31 NASB). “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NASB).
• Follow Jesus: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 NASB). “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NASB). “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26).