Is Faith a Work?

I am answering this without reading the rest of the thread thus far, so pardon me if I am stepping between parts of a discussion.

God is not a man and should not be regarded in the same way as a man. Once you can get your mind wrapped around that you will be much better off. Philosophy will get you nowhere with understanding anything about God.

God gives the faith to accept His offer of salvation. Whether or not that meets your definition of "cause" or not I have no idea. I figure you put in quotes for some specific reason, but I don't know your reason for it. I can only tell you in layman's terms as I am no philosopher by any means. Man does not have any faith within himself other than that he creates himself, like to believe in a false gospel, a cult, or even evolution. That kind of "faith" means nothing as far as salvation goes. I can have faith in my wife, but that won't get me to God.

Gos is the author and finisher of faith. He gives it to all who will have it. He does not withhold it from anyone, just as the offer of salvation is available for anyone. While it is true that God knows who will and who will not accept the offer of salvation, He does not pick and choose who will or won't take it. Yes, that is hard to accept in and of itself, but that's just the way it is. We are told to share the gospel with everyone even though only a few will choose to accept it through the faith God gives to accept it. I like to put it this way... God knows who will accept salvation, but He keeps his cards close to His vest and doesn't tell us which ones are which.

Why does God only give faith to those who will accept salvation? Who says He doesn't give it to all? Only those who chose to exercise it actually use it. It's like getting in a car: until you put it into gear you're not going to go anywhere. The same thing applies to faith in that until it is applied in accepting God's offer of salvation through Christ is doesn't go anywhere. Yes, that is overly simplistic, but it does convey what I am trying to say.

God would rather that all men accept His offer of grace. Jesus Christ died for all men, not just a few. His sacrifice will cover the sins of all, but most will choose to ignore and reject it. That's the way man is. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will allow those who reject His Son to have the very hell that they chose over Him.

God allows us to make the final decision regarding salvation. He furnishes the way and the means as well as the vehicle of it, but He leaves the ball in our court. Each and every person must decide to accept or reject Him, and not making a decision is the same as saying no in this matter. I had a really hard time with this as a young Christian, especially when my sister died suddenly without being saved. I literally wrestled with God for a long time about it, blaming Him for her death. Once I finally stopped long enough for Him to speak to me through prayer and His word, He showed me exactly what I have laid out here. God doesn't condemn anyone; they condemn themselves. I was once condemned by my own hand, but I accepted God's offer of salvation one day... my sister did not and had not when she met her end. I am still saddened by her loss, but I can stand and praise God for His righteousness knowing that her rejection was the cause.

 

You did.


I said:
Christ has paid the penalty for my sins with His own blood. I have eternal life and will not die. He is my righteousness.

You responded:
….yes, for sins that are past.


You are referring to sins of your past are you not?


So did Christ atone for all of your sins or just the past ones before you were saved?

 

Amen!
~~~~

 

Read the context of where 2 or 3 are gathered; it's about the application of church discipline.

 

I am guessing that your pastor meant God does not hold us accountable for our sins when we are in Christ; those sins are forgiven. Of course He sees them; He's not blind. But I am sure this is not what the pastor meant.

 

Exactly. I think that is one of the most misused verses of all scripture. If it takes 2 or 3 gathered for Jesus to be in our midst, then when I'm alone, God is not with me.

 

So the church did exsit already before the cross.:smilewinkgrin:

 

Well, actually there is disagreement on that. I think most Baptists and some others (like Bible churches) believe that the church started at Pentecost.

I'm about to take a seminary course on Ecclesiology/Eschatology (it's required) soon, Lord willing. Then I can address this more fully, but I think the church, as we mean it, started at Pentecost.

The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ, and though He is eternal, of course, and has always existed, he was not incarnated in the OT.

Also, Ephesians 5:32 speaks of the church as a "mystery," meaning it was unknown in the OT covenant days but revealed now (at the time Paul wrote this). This is more evidence that the church did not begin before Pentecost or at least was not around before Christ's incarnation.

 

Exactly, Marcia. The church did not begin until the coming of the Holy Spirit. Up until then there were people looking for a future hope, and followers of that hope. Until the Spirit was given that's all there was. But once the Spirit came all that changed.

 

Faith seems to be an act of the will empowered by the Grace of God.

 

John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

What might we do, to do the work of God?
This is the work of God: Believe on him whom he has sent.

It is clear what Jesus meant. Faith is the only "work" that they could do to have eternal life. However Jesus was playing with words. The truth was that they couldn't do any works. Salvation isn't by works. Thus Jesus said: it is by faith (for faith isn't a work). It is the only "work", though it isn't one, that they could do. Salvation is by faith and faith alone. And that was the teaching of Christ.

 

Thank you Jesus! :love2:

 

Where is repentance set forth as a condition for the gospel?
And then if you can find it, define it in the context that it is used.