Is faith a gift?
By jdalaqui
@jdalaqui (1073)
Philippines
November 18, 2012 7:44pm CST
Many people argue that salvation is the only gift and that faith is from man. However if we will look closely on passages concerning human inability to believe Christ on their own, we can conclude that faith is also a gift from God not just salvation. What is your opinion on this?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
19 Nov 12
Yes, godly faith is a gift that God gives to those that ask for it and work for it. It is part of the fruitage of holy spirit. (Galatians 5:22)Jesus said it, ask and one will receive. It is like the sunshine. God provides it but we have to go out (work) to enjoy it.
Luke 11:13 King James Version (KJV) 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
22 Nov 12
No, I'm not suggesting that. We have to ask though Jesus Christ. All requests and prayers go through him.
We have free will, so we have to decide that we want to follow God and his ways. We display the desire and God then helps us to do so.
1 person likes this
@edvc77 (2140)
• Philippines
19 Nov 12
There are many gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are gift of teaching, gift of discernment, gift of prophesying, gift of healing. However, I don't think that there is a gift of faith. Faith is define in the Bible, as "believing of what you hope for." It is something that a person needs to do in his own free will.
God Bless
@livewyre (2450)
•
19 Nov 12
Salvation is a gift since it can't be earned - this is not the same as a 'gift' as in a skill or spiritual ability - the word gift can be used in different contexts.
Amongst the spiritual gifts we might have, you could include 'faith' but not as ordinary faith of the saved Christian, but extraordinary faith such as could be used for healing... All Christians have faith, some may have an abundance of faith and this could be called a 'gift' from God.
@livewyre (2450)
•
19 Nov 12
I think you hinted at something in your question, so I also want to add that whilst faith must be willingly entered into, it is also true to say that faith only comes through the Holy Spirit - your faith is built up by the Holy Spirit.
You can't simply 'pray' someone into salvation but you can ask that their heart be open to the Holy Spirit, two things must coincide; the heart must be willing and the Holy Spirit must be active - there is no salvation if only one of those things is happening...
Faith comes from man, (a rational conscious decision) but I believe it is inspired by the Spirit.
@jdalaqui (1073)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
Hi! thanks for responding to this post. I am referring to faith for salvation. I agree with with you when you said that salvation is a gift for it can't be earned. I am also inciting here that faith is a gift not just salvation for no one can believe unless he is drowned by God to believe.
I have another post entitled Calvinism vs. arminianism and I guess we can discuss their the rest of your comment here. I'l be glad to see you there.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
26 Nov 12
Faith is the wrapping-paper; it's good that you save it & continue to use it, but the gift it holds inside is G*d's grace (which is the substance of salvation).
