You say we are saved by what we believe and not by how we behave. I really would like to believe that but I also know that I made a profession of faith, went to a Bible teaching church, read my Bible every day, prayed, and thought I was living the life as a Christian but fell in to gross sin for a number of years then while still living in sin had a catastrophic event happen that left me no where else to go but flat on my face crying out to Jesus to save me and forgive me. I believe I was a false convert otherwise I would not have lived those years in a life of habitual sin. Isn’t that what this scripture teaches? I am confused.
You’re a good example of the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7). You may know that sheep are prone to wander and when they do it’s the shepherd’s job to bring them back. Our Shepherd promised not to lose even one of those the Father has given Him (John 6:37-40). You could view the fact that He brought you back as evidence that your original conversion was legitimate.