Puppet

Ephesians 2:8-10

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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


Is faith the evidence that we have received God's grace (salvation)?

Saint_Augustine

Short answer: yes.

Puppet

That verse also says that salvation is from God, not at all from our own efforts. So, does that mean God chooses us? Kinda like God chose Israel from all the other nations?

Saint_Augustine

I think you're on to something, Puppet.

Puppet

Nice teeth there, Saint Augustine!

Well, I, for one am happy God chose me! He is so good!

Saint_Augustine

I am happy He chose you (and me), too. lol

violet

Puppet

1 John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.

I cannot think of a verse that has faith preceeding grace. Faith is the vehicle to which grace is delivered according to Ephesians 2.

Bassmasa

This has been a bit of a revelation to me in recent weeks, very timely.

John 6:44
John 6:65
I take great comfort in this, not for myself personally, but in sharing God's word with others. Too often, we feel responsible for "converting" people or taking responsibility for their salvation. As the parable of the sower teaches, we are to spread God's word, but ONLY He can draw them. We should feel no pressure to share His word as the person's decision is not up to us, it's up to God.

If we're mocked, made fun of, or treated poorly for our beliefs, it goes along with Christ's teachings. How can anyone understand God's power and Christ's grace if He has not revealed it to them? Seriously, how can we believe that God became man and died for us? That's a totally irrational claim, but we know it to be true...through God's grace alone.

That's something I've been having conversations with non-believers about recently. How can they "find" faith? Surely there's a better answer than, "Well, God has to give it to you." If they don't believe in God, what would compel them to listen to His urgings.

How does that fit in with this scripture?:

Matthew 7:
This scripture seems to illustrate that man can initiate the relationship. Is it possible for someone to seek God on his/her own, or has God compelled them to take that action?...I'm not being argumentative here, but it's a great conversation and I appreciate everyone's opinions.

Bridgit

This has been puzzling to me too. I know that God created us with a free will. When God knocks at our heart we have the choice of accepting His calling or rejecting it. However, the Bible clearly says that man is born spiritually blind, having no fear of God. What makes some people run to His arms while others keep on rejecting Him, I don't know, but believe it has to be God's doing. But why God adopt some people and not others? I don't know.