God accepts one set of terms—absolute surrender. And that surrender is the work of a lifetime. Think of Noah: It took him about 100 years to build the 500-foot-long ark. I’m sure he endured some ridicule. I’m sure there were times when he doubted God’s promise. But he endured, because that’s what surrendered faith does.
Listen: It’s not the initial “yes” that shows you have faith. It’s the follow-through that determines if you have faith. Hebrews 11:7 doesn’t say that Noah had faith because he said, “Yes, Lord,” but because he endured for a century. The question God is asking us about our faith isn’t, “Did you pray a prayer?” or “Did you get baptized?” or “Did you ‘walk the aisle?’” The question is, “Does your life today declare that he is Lord?” “Are you surrendered now?” It’s not what your mouth says that determines if you have faith; it’s what your life says.
