Topical Bible: Faith in Christ Is: The Gift of God

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Faith in Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, understood as a divine gift bestowed upon believers by God Himself. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture and is essential for salvation, spiritual growth, and the believer's relationship with God.

Biblical Foundation

The notion that faith is a gift from God is explicitly stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that faith is not a human achievement but a divine endowment, emphasizing the grace of God in the salvation process.

Nature of Faith as a Gift

Faith as a gift implies that it is not something that can be earned or merited by human effort. Romans 12:3 further elucidates this by stating, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you." Here, the "measure of faith" is portrayed as something apportioned by God, highlighting its divine origin.

Role in Salvation

Faith is the means by which individuals receive the grace of God and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. John 1:12-13 affirms, "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God." This passage indicates that faith is integral to becoming a child of God, a transformation initiated by divine will rather than human decision.

Faith and Works

While faith is a gift, it naturally results in good works as a response to God's grace. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This suggests that genuine faith, though a gift, is evidenced by a life of obedience and service, reflecting the transformative power of God's grace in the believer's life.

Faith and the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting faith to believers. Galatians 5:22-23 lists faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that the Spirit nurtures and sustains the believer's faith. The Spirit's work in the heart of the believer is essential for the growth and perseverance of faith.

Faith and Assurance

Faith as a gift of God provides believers with assurance of their salvation and eternal security. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance is rooted in the reliability of God's promises and the believer's trust in Christ's redemptive work.

Conclusion

Faith in Christ, as the gift of God, is foundational to the Christian life. It is a divine endowment that enables believers to receive salvation, live in obedience, and experience the assurance of God's promises. Through the Holy Spirit, faith is nurtured and sustained, leading to a life that reflects the grace and glory of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 6:23
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Philippians 1:29
For to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... faith is spiritual, the gift of God . . . ... what a mistake to take our belief in God
and call of faith . . . Christ, the living word, is our sufficiency . . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

Faith Itself is the Gift of God; and Good Works Will not be ...
... to themselves the merit of their own faith at least ... and that not of yourselves; it
is the gift of God ... For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 31 faith itself is the.htm

Faith in Christ
... When we come and preach to you, 'Trust in Christ and thou shalt ... thy death and loss,
on the creatures of a day.' Faith is mighty, divine, the gift of God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/faith in christ.htm

On Faith
... the least advantage to this man; or, rather, he willed that Christ should not profit
him.9. Faith is a gracious and gratuitous gift of God, bestowed according ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on faith.htm

God's Requirements and God's Gift
... humbly with our God,' is possible only through repentance towards God, and faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ. ... Lastly, my text leads us to think of God's gift. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/gods requirements and gods gift.htm

Salvation by Faith
... Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!" And thus ... in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died" to ... grace" then "are ye saved through faith." Grace is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

Divine Election and Reprobation
... as well as of all other sins is no wise in God, but in man himself; whereas faith
in Jesus Christ and salvation through Him is the free gift of God, as it is ...
/.../anonymous/synod of dort/divine election and reprobation.htm

Faith and Acceptance
... taught while He was on earth, that the gift which God ... people of their diseases when
they had faith in His ... says, speaking of the miracles of Christ, "These are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 6 faith and acceptance.htm

The Law Established through Faith
... with the Apostle, "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." Yet still ... kingdom;
we might preach Christ in all his offices, and faith in Christ as opening ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 36 the law established.htm

The Canons of Dordt
... Article 9 It is not the fault of the gospel, nor of Christ offered therein? ... Article
14 Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/

Rejection of Errors
... in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith"and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" not by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm