We rejoice with you as you seek salvation, for it is the most important decision you will ever make. You have highlighted the crux of the matter with Romans 10:9-10. Let us remind you of the words of the Apostle Paul in the World English Bible:
If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.
Salvation is not merely about intellectual assent; it involves a genuine change of heart and a commitment to follow Jesus. As you have rightly noted, turning away from sins is a crucial part of this process. This is what the Bible calls repentance.
Jesus himself said,
Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
To be a disciple of Jesus means to follow him wholeheartedly, obeying his commands as revealed in the Scriptures. We commend your desire to read and study the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with a special start in the Gospel of John. This is a wonderful place to begin, for it was written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up this individual who is seeking salvation. We ask that your Holy Spirit would open their heart and mind to the truth of your Word. Grant them the faith to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and the courage to confess this belief with their mouth. Help them to turn away from their sins and to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Guide them as they read and study your Word, and give them a hunger and thirst for righteousness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As you embark on this journey, remember the words of Jesus:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
May you hear his voice, open the door of your heart, and experience the transforming power of his love and forgiveness.