To believe in Jesus (unto salvation) not only involves believing in who Jesus is and in historical facts about Jesus, but also
trusting in Jesus as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. The Greek word for believe is "pisteuo" and means to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing) to entrust, (especially one's spiritual well being to Christ).
In regards to love, the love of God has been poured out in the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5) and
we receive the Holy Spirit when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ/believe the gospel. (Acts 11:17; Ephesians 1:13) We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)
"Obedience" which "follows" believing unto salvation is "works" and we are
not saved by works, but by believing in Christ/placing faith in Christ for salvation. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9)
Believing is not about getting up and accomplishing a list of works to save yourself. Also faith is faith and works are works. If you believe in Jesus unto salvation, then you are
trusting in Him alone to save you and not in works. This belief will result in actions appropriate to the belief (to one degree or the other/all genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful) - but the actions are NOT INHERENT in the belief. Do you believe that man is saved by faith AND WORKS?
Salvation begins with
believing the gospel. (Romans 1:16) To believe the gospel is to
trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) If we endure to the end then we demonstrate that faith was firmly rooted and established from the start and we truly are born of God and have not believed in vain.
This hope is not some uncertain cross your fingers kind of hope. Unlike the english word "hope," the N.T. word contains no uncertainty; it speaks of something that is certain. - Strong's #1680 elpís (from elpō, "to anticipate, welcome") –
properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope. If we have saving faith in Christ then we have this hope. Faith is the
assurance of things hoped for.. (Hebrews 11:1) So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the
hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)
Salvation is past tense with ongoing present results -- we "have been" saved from the PENALTY of sin (justification) yet salvation is also future tense -- we "will be" saved from the PRESENCE of sin (glorification).