Is faith a gift?

[Sochi]

Hi, Sochi, First we have to conclude its a gift-Faith, be it mine or anyone’s. I would think if its true for example Faith, love and hope-gifts, then we can’t keep them unless we give them away. By giving them away we keep them. No semantics, searching is all, and it seems at similar points on a few threads. Interesting point to consider, hard wired, so this is a universal absolute? Is it clear evidence that not two people believe exactly the same thing for the same reason? Or is it true that many believe in comparative principles, for example that we shouldn’t be cannibals or kill. I don’t know about the survival necessity, I would only suggest that may well run full circle to faith and belief.

“We” don’t have to do any such thing, unless “we” wish to invite confusion. “Giving them away” is a figure of speech. Your behavior might inspire someone to adopt some way in agreement with you, but on analysis, that is not a matter of you or anyone “giving” that to them. Nor does their agreement do other than perhaps offer you material for self verification. What if what you “gave” them was alcoholism or drug addiction? It would seem to me that the only circle here is in reasoning.

 

[Bahman]

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. " Ephesians 2:8-9

Is faith a gift?

It could be a gift from a God who could make a difference in indifference!

 

[GaryTaylor]

Hi Sochi Its a figure of speech as “we” also is, which does become reality. What if you gave them alcoholism and drug addiction, you would be giving them something but not love? And the “we” in it-you would be responsible so it would become a reality? I’m confused by what your saying. You can give chaos away also which the symptom becomes a indication of chaos-addiction in whatever form, or your misunderstood love manifested another illusion from its illusion.

 

[ynotzap]

There is an *apparent *contradiction here between Paul and James. I have furnished you with one possible resolution to this conundrum by proposing that the Scriptures actually refer to different aspects of God’s will (i.e. the decretal will and the prescriptive will); the good works that faith produces in the life of the Christian are the result of God’s decretal will, because it is God who works in the believer both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). IOW, we don’t produce the works, God does.

However, you have rejected this resolution; therefore, the onus is upon you to provide another resolution which is more compelling. Unfortunately, you have failed to furnish us with a more compelling resolution, therefore we must conclude that Paul and James contradict each other. That’s the only other option.

We do produce the works in co-operation with the grace of God, we are loving our neighbor and God. We are instrumental. And we are growing spiritually in the theological virtues every time we co-operated with God’s grace. Our wills are united with His will, this is called “spiritual transformation” It is no longer I but God in me. We become Christ like in our lives, and actions. We are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Counterpoint]

We do produce the works in co-operation with the grace of God, we are loving our neighbor and God. We are instrumental. And we are growing spiritually in the theological virtues every time we co-operated with God’s grace. Our wills are united with His will, this is called “spiritual transformation” It is no longer I but God in me. We become Christ like in our lives, and actions. We are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

So, you believe that salvation requires both faith and works. God has to do his part, but you have to do your part…a part which God cannot do. Therefore, you have something to boast about. “I am able to cooperate with God by virtue of my own will power, not God’s. There are many more here who are incapable of cooperating with God’s loving grace.”

“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Romans 9:19-20

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

 

[ynotzap]

All the good works in the world can not produce or merit the grace of conversion. it is a gift of God, merited by Jesus Christ, the gift of His Spirit, the Spirit of divine adoption through Baptism. This truth comes not from human reason but divine revelation. How can anyone give what they don’t have? Or understand it? God can not be subjected to human reason, He is the Creator of it Human reason is subjected to God, and He does make men"s minds and hearts to be hardened (stubborn) just like He did to the Pharaoh, and the Egyptian army
in EX:14:17 If one doesn’t have the Faith how can he judge When approaching a person who doesn’t have the understanding received by the gift of FAith, it would be unfair to expect him to understand the truths revealed by it. We can show that it is reasonable to believe, but that’s where it stops as far as human reason is concerned.

 

[ynotzap]

I am quoting from the Bible in order to show what a Catholic Christian believes, not to convince anyone who is not a believer I am witnessing to the truth of my Faith and to show it is very consistent with right reason and not opposed to it, and even to arise above it.

 

[ynotzap]

Quote Counterpoint The election is comprised of only a remnant of Jews. (the vast majority of the Elect are Gentiles) And why have the Jews rejected Christ? God has blinded the vast majority of the Jews (so much for your free will theory)

Blindness (intellectual blindness) is not of the will, it is of the mind (our intelligence) not understanding, ignorance. the will is a faculty of the soul, as is the mind,(not the brain as some think) The mind seeks as it’s object of appetency, truth, the will seeks as it ‘s object of appetency good (truth and good are one in God) It is the mind fill with truth that guides the will to the good. A hardened heart means a stubborn will resolved to have it’s way guided by an unenlightened mind. This choice is made freely. God left them in their ignorance, and empowered them to become more resolved in their free choice (God gives power to the will, the will is not its own mover as the soul is not its own power.) He allowed this to happen to the Egyptians when they were destroyed crossing the Red Sea, to manifest His glory to the Pharaoh. Free will is not a “theory” God empowers the will, and with this power, man is enable to make a free choice. If there is no freedom of will, then God is the author of sin, sin is an offense against God, God contradicts Himself, and this is impossible. It’s like saying God annihilates’ Himself Perhaps the harden heart condition was one due to arrogance, full of unwarranted pride, and self-importance.

The Jews were the elected people because of their belief in the One God, manifested to them through Moses. St. Paul makes it very clear that the “Election” now is to all that turn to Christ, and His kingdom on earth it consists of Jews, and Gentiles (us) And the "Remnant "even applies to Christians of our day. His Kingdom is called “The New Israel”