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Understanding the gospel will save (deliver) us from depending upon our own good works for eternal salvation, but understanding the gospel will not save us eternally. The gospel informs us how that we were saved, and that was by the shed blood of Christ for all those that God gave to Christ, John 6:37-40. Thats the good news of the gospel telling us that we do not have to depend upon our good works for eternal salvation because I know that my very best of works will not justify me.
Risking sounding too simplistic (albeit the way I tend to prefer to be), I would venture that, that Christ, through God, is given to me from the outset. It's what I do with that gift as I begin my journey that matters for me.
J.
Faith comes from the Spirit because it is a fruit of the Spirit. After we have been born again of the Spirit our faith grows from hearing the word. Hearing the word is spiritual food essential for us to grow in faith. Jesus told his apostles to "feed my sheep".
The natural man will not seek to have faith. Our spiritual faith comes from the Spirit because it is a fruit of he Spirit and we must be born again of the Spirit before we have access to spiritual faith.
Most of the religious world believes in eternal salvation by works, even though they will not admit it and that is a false doctrine (not truth). They are still born again children of God but do not have the full fellowship with God. There are many called , but few chosen, Matt 20:16. The many called are born again children, Rom 8:30, Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified. The few chosen are those that he revealed the truth to. Matt 7:13-14 gives the same example with the wide gate (those of God's children who are depending upon their good works for eternal salvation) and the strait gate (those that have been revealed the truth). The life that the strait gate leads to is not eternal life, but the abundant life we can enjoy here in this world.
Christ's righteousness is imputed to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit,1 John 3:24,. Heb 13:21, He works in us that which is well pleasing in his sight.