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John 1:12 - "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
First, we believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be. Then, we receive Jesus through repentance, which is a turning away from ourselves and desiring to be conformed to Jesus' image. This starts with confessing our sins; only then can we be cleansed and forgiven. (1 John 1:9)
After this, our faith should become evident through our works. Galatians 2:8-9 makes it pretty clear that we can't do anything in order to be saved. Belief and repentance are inward actions (man can't see them). Going to church, doing good works, telling others about Jesus, tithing, reading the Bible--all these are just a few of the outward acts that some people think will get them to heaven. However, if we do all these things without both believing and receiving (repentance), we're putting the cart before the horse and won't get to where we desire to go.
Yes, this is how my belief is as well. You said it very eloquently. It is after we believe that things change. Jesus changes us on the inside, we put off the old and put on the new. REBIRTH....
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