There have been some really good posts on this thread so far.
I have to always keep in mind that it is only God who births us out of sin and death. Men have always been saved by faith, either in the promise that was to come or what has already been done.
The price has been paid for our salvation. It is up to us to accept what God has done for us.
We in our human nature just want to be able to have a formula or a checklist so that we can insure our salvation. I am sorry to say that following a three-step formula won't save you anymore than taking communion or going to confession. It is only by what Christ has done that we are saved and the faith in his finished work that will change our lives and allow the Holy Ghost to work in our lives.
Romans 9:6-18
6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."[b]
8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.
9For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."[c]
10Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.
11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand:
12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."[d]
13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."[e]
14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
15For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."[f]
16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."[g]
18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.