Man, I wrote something awhile back on Ephesians 2:8, but now I cant find it!!!! Frustrating. The premise of the article was that some people belief that grace is the gift mentioned in Ephesians 2:8 and not faith. That is, they believe that faith is something that everyone somehow can naturally produce within themselves. In other words, they can choose to believe. But my argument is that faith itself is the gift mentioned in this verse. Faith is a supernatural GIFT that comes from God. Its not something we have the ability to do within ourselves. It has to be given. And now I found some additional evidence to support this, but I cant find the paper!! Galatians 3:23 says, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. BEFORE FAITH CAME, indicates that at first it wasnt present. That is, faith is not naturally in us. It COMES to us. That is the gift given by the Spirit, AT HIS WILL (John 3:8). He chooses the foolishness of preaching to bring the Word to people, and then through that Word He GIVES the gift of faith (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God). Its really a marvelous thing. We are dead in sins and trespasses (Eph.2). Completely unable to comprehend the things of God. No ability whatsoever to be saved. Then, when the Spirit chooses, He sends a preacher of the Word. And instead of hearing just that Word, the chosen sheep hears the voice of the shepherd in that Word, and at that moment the Holy Spirit imparts the gifts of faith and repentance, and causes the individual to be born again! ALL THE WORK OF GOD, SO HE GETS EVERY LAST OUNCE OF CREDIT! I love it!
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:28:55 +0000
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