The righteous acts of men cannot bridge the gulf between man and God only Christ can do that on our behalf.
but asking Jesus to save us is somehow the only righteous act that is outside the realm of personal willpower? Its like we can command the grace of God to act and save, like God has no choice in the matter. Convenient.
If I got down on my knees right now and said Lord Jesus come in to my life, none but you are Lord and Savoir, save me a worthless sinner!...well nothing would happen really lol.
You're essentially treating salvation like a magic spell of sorts.....abracadabra!!
God is sovereign yet he allows us to live freely within this life requiring that we make only one choice about him....to accept or reject him.
That said, the Lord knows the contents of our heart....they are not hidden from him.
It's not as if a bunch guys could be hanging and one of them mockingly says, "hey bros I'm gonna get saved....check it out!" And then doing exactly what you said would grant him the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And you're right, if you did that nothing would happen.
Romans 10:10
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Philippians 3:9
9 I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.Our belief and faith is not a righteous act, but Christ allows righteousness to be imputed to believers because of our faith in his divine righteousness and acts on Calvary's cross. Salvation is not of works, but in Christ alone; yet, God requires that we be proactive yet desirous, humble participants who surrender faithfully to his will.
