Grace 101
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Hi Johnny,
It is God who saves us. All he asks of us is to receive His salvation by believing (or having faith in) His Word. The Word of God is Jesus (John 1:1-5) and God's Gift to us is Jesus (His Word). Jesus is the gift God has given us.
"For God so loved the world that he gave us His only begotten son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8)
Even our faith is a gift from God as we study His Word....
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)
God bless you
It is God who saves us. All he asks of us is to receive His salvation by believing (or having faith in) His Word. The Word of God is Jesus (John 1:1-5) and God's Gift to us is Jesus (His Word). Jesus is the gift God has given us.
"For God so loved the world that he gave us His only begotten son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8)
Even our faith is a gift from God as we study His Word....
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)
God bless you
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Also, Romans 12:3 tells us that God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. How man utilizes that faith is the issue.
Is our faith strengthened because when we hear His Word we do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness?
Or does our faith remain dormant and weak because we do suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18)?
Is our faith strengthened because when we hear His Word we do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness?
Or does our faith remain dormant and weak because we do suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18)?
U
Faith is not a gift, it is salvation/eternal life that is the gift.
Faith is our belief in what God says is true. God does not give faith as a gift. Our faith is what pleases God, why would it be a gift from Him, it not scriptural neither does it make sense.
It is the right faith/belief in the Gospel that brings God's grace upon us whereupon He imparts His gift of eternal life.
Paul is explaining the process of how we are saved meaning how we are given eternal life.
Best to let God's Word do the talking
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom 10:17)
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
"The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2)
Although God has given to everyone a measure of faith its up to us to use it. As we use it our faith will grow.
God bless you
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom 10:17)
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
"The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2)
Although God has given to everyone a measure of faith its up to us to use it. As we use it our faith will grow.
God bless you
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U
Part One:
Holly Garcia from redeemingmoments.com explains it best
Luke 7:9: When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Mark 11:22: And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Luke 12:28: If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Jesus could not commend someone for great faith, if such faith were a gift from God. To do so would be attributing God’s glory to man. It is simply inconceivable that God would have Jesus praising man for something He had given him. He would have been praising the wrong person — God does not make mistakes. Jesus attributed the great faith to the centurion, not God. Jesus also commented the woman with the daughter with the demon; “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”
Similarly, Jesus could not challenge someone to have a stronger faith if such faith were to come from God. In so doing, Jesus would be challenging the Triune God (which includes Himself) to provide someone with a better faith. If faith was the gift, God would have failed for not giving them enough. None of this lines up with the Word.
Finally, Jesus could not chastise a believer for having little faith, if such faith had been provided as the gift of God. Nor would an honest God tell a crowd to ‘have faith’ when (if Calvinism were true) then the minority would be the ones that had already been chosen to be gifted with this faith.
It is clearly evident from scripture that faith itself is not the gift of God.
Holly Garcia from redeemingmoments.com explains it best
Luke 7:9: When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Mark 11:22: And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Luke 12:28: If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Jesus could not commend someone for great faith, if such faith were a gift from God. To do so would be attributing God’s glory to man. It is simply inconceivable that God would have Jesus praising man for something He had given him. He would have been praising the wrong person — God does not make mistakes. Jesus attributed the great faith to the centurion, not God. Jesus also commented the woman with the daughter with the demon; “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”
Similarly, Jesus could not challenge someone to have a stronger faith if such faith were to come from God. In so doing, Jesus would be challenging the Triune God (which includes Himself) to provide someone with a better faith. If faith was the gift, God would have failed for not giving them enough. None of this lines up with the Word.
Finally, Jesus could not chastise a believer for having little faith, if such faith had been provided as the gift of God. Nor would an honest God tell a crowd to ‘have faith’ when (if Calvinism were true) then the minority would be the ones that had already been chosen to be gifted with this faith.
It is clearly evident from scripture that faith itself is not the gift of God.
In agreement faith itself is not the gift of God.
I do, however, believe that faith is inherent in each and every person and that the measure of faith has been provided to each person by God. The same measure to each one of us.
I consider faith to be along the lines of intellect (although not exactly like intellect because I believe we all receive the same "measure" of faith, whereas intellectual capacity may vary from person to person).
However, a person who does not apply him/herself intellectually does not receive benefit from his/her intellect.
And a person who does apply him/herself intellectually receives the benefit of dedicating him or herself in those endeavors.
By the same token, a person who continuously suppresses the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18) remains weak in faith. Does that mean he/she does not have any faith? No. It just means he/she is not properly utilizing the faith given to him/her by God.
Our faith is to be directed toward God. And when we do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness, God then brings increase and our faith grows stronger. As we walk in close alignment with God, we learn to trust Him more and more and our faith blossoms and grows strong. Faith flourishes and thrives as we trust our Father to do those things He promises He will do.
Those who are said to be lacking in faith have just as much faith as you or I (or even Abraham for that matter). Their faith is weak, not because they don't have faith but because of WHO or WHAT they place their faith in --- self, others, things, etc.
I don't know if I am communicating this well and I hope/pray you understand what I am trying to point out concerning faith.
I do, however, believe that faith is inherent in each and every person and that the measure of faith has been provided to each person by God. The same measure to each one of us.
I consider faith to be along the lines of intellect (although not exactly like intellect because I believe we all receive the same "measure" of faith, whereas intellectual capacity may vary from person to person).
However, a person who does not apply him/herself intellectually does not receive benefit from his/her intellect.
And a person who does apply him/herself intellectually receives the benefit of dedicating him or herself in those endeavors.
By the same token, a person who continuously suppresses the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18) remains weak in faith. Does that mean he/she does not have any faith? No. It just means he/she is not properly utilizing the faith given to him/her by God.
Our faith is to be directed toward God. And when we do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness, God then brings increase and our faith grows stronger. As we walk in close alignment with God, we learn to trust Him more and more and our faith blossoms and grows strong. Faith flourishes and thrives as we trust our Father to do those things He promises He will do.
Those who are said to be lacking in faith have just as much faith as you or I (or even Abraham for that matter). Their faith is weak, not because they don't have faith but because of WHO or WHAT they place their faith in --- self, others, things, etc.
I don't know if I am communicating this well and I hope/pray you understand what I am trying to point out concerning faith.
U
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom 10:17)
Does this say faith is a gift, no, it does tell us how we increase faith
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
This faith when read in context has to do with using our individual gifts.
FOR as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Paul is exhorting by faith to use the gifts we are given, all of us believers have been given some measure of faith as part of our new status in Jesus…so use what has been given to use access the gifts.
Although God has given to everyone a measure of faith its up to us to use it. As we use it our faith will grow.
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
"The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)
The disciples have asked Jesus to give them more faith and Jesus replies, You already have enough faith to do what I want you to do. He does not say I will gift you more faith.
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2)
Vine's dictionary says that the word "author" in this verse does not necessarily mean the source or originating cause, but more in the sense of leader: He (Jesus) is represented as the one who takes precedence in faith and is thus the exemplar of it. The pronoun 'our' does not correspond to anything in the original, and may be omitted. Thus, he is the leader of all others who tread that path.
If you say that faith is a gift you are now saying that God gifts some and not others, so only those who are lucky enough to be given the gift of faith can be saved. Meanwhile He died on the cross for everyone. Very illogical
This is incorrect.
This is also incorrect. You're referring to Romans 12:3, and the audience are those who are saved, not the world at large. And not all have the same measure as another.
There is also this; "Not all men have faith" 2 Thessalonians 3:2. No, faith is not inherent in all persons.
Faith is not inherent, it comes from Christ; Romans 10:17 thus its source is external, not inherent. The power to believe comes from God and is the same power that raised Christ from the dead; Ephesians 1:19. Faith has been given to believers, Philippians 1:29.
Those referred to as not having faith are those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18).
I have also read different versions of the Bible and some render 2 Thess 3:2 as:
International Standard Version: Also pray that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone holds to the faith.
New Living Translation: Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.
Berean Study Bible: And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith.
In other words, not all are believers and we need to be able to discern between those who are true believers and those who are not believers.
The reason I believe all men and women have faith is because if God gives faith only to those who will believe at some point in their lifetime and does not give faith to those who end up never believing in their lifetime, those who end up headed for the lake of fire will have an excuse and could make the argument that they do not deserve the judgment allotted to them because God gave something to the believer that He did not give to the unbeliever.
However, this is not a salvation issue and not worth arguing over.
I have also read different versions of the Bible and some render 2 Thess 3:2 as:
International Standard Version: Also pray that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone holds to the faith.
New Living Translation: Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.
Berean Study Bible: And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith.
In other words, not all are believers and we need to be able to discern between those who are true believers and those who are not believers.
The reason I believe all men and women have faith is because if God gives faith only to those who will believe at some point in their lifetime and does not give faith to those who end up never believing in their lifetime, those who end up headed for the lake of fire will have an excuse and could make the argument that they do not deserve the judgment allotted to them because God gave something to the believer that He did not give to the unbeliever.
However, this is not a salvation issue and not worth arguing over.
Romans 1.5-7 clearly makes a distinction among gentiles who are believers and who need to become believers
[SUP]5 [/SUP]through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, [SUP]6 [/SUP]among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; [SUP]7 [/SUP]to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1.18-23 is not a saved audience either is it?
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [SUP]19 [/SUP]because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. [SUP]20 [/SUP]For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. [SUP]21 [/SUP]For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [SUP]22 [/SUP]Professing to be wise, they became fools, [SUP]23 [/SUP]and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Even the ones you say will never be elected know God, because he made it evident to them.
There is faith which is inherent in each and every one of us (the measure of faith described in Rom 12:3), which grows stronger as we do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18).
There is fruit of the Spirit faith (Gal 5:22).
There is manifestation of the Spirit faith (1 Cor 12:9).
All have Rom 12:3 faith – believer and unbeliever alike.
Only believers are afforded fruit of the Spirit faith and every single believer can (and should) have this wonderful fruit in his / her life as he / she walks in the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25).
Only believers are afforded manifestation of the Spirit faith. This faith is evidenced in the life of a believer as God (who worketh all in all – 1 Cor 12:6) deems the manifestation is needed, so a believer may or may not have the manifestation of the Spirit faith in his/her life.
Maybe not in this lifetime because they love the pleasures of sin. But when faced with where they are headed, those who are consigned to the lake of fire will want to go to heaven.
There is fruit of the Spirit faith (Gal 5:22).
There is manifestation of the Spirit faith (1 Cor 12:9).
All have Rom 12:3 faith – believer and unbeliever alike.
Only believers are afforded fruit of the Spirit faith and every single believer can (and should) have this wonderful fruit in his / her life as he / she walks in the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25).
Only believers are afforded manifestation of the Spirit faith. This faith is evidenced in the life of a believer as God (who worketh all in all – 1 Cor 12:6) deems the manifestation is needed, so a believer may or may not have the manifestation of the Spirit faith in his/her life.
Maybe not in this lifetime because they love the pleasures of sin. But when faced with where they are headed, those who are consigned to the lake of fire will want to go to heaven.
That is too bad because Paul is writing that directly to believers only, not the world at large. You're not disagreeing with me, you're disagreeing with Scripture.
They were and are already without excuse prior to judgment day, read Romans 1.
Read also Romans 9:20.
Unbelievers don't want an excuse, and they won't have an excuse even though you're trying to grant them excuses by asserting that it is the fault of God. God owes no one salvation, you think that He does or He isn't being fair.
You are saying they have an excuse, therefore you are in fact blaming God for their demise. What you are not understanding is they are lost prior to ever knowing the Gospel or ever hearing it.
They hate God, and they do not want to live in a righteous and holy heaven. You're making it out as if they really love God, want to go to heaven, and that God is forbidding them access.
Have a Biblical evening.