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~~"According to Paul, faith is a work of the righteous. We don't get to heaven by our works..."~~

One of these things is not like the other...Is faith a "work" or is it a "gift?"

EXACTLY!

Grace is the gift, as was pointed out to me by GeorgeW.Bush three years ago when I was sloppier with words.

We don't get to heaven by our works. And Paul calls faith a work. Faith is the EVIDENCE of God's saving grace. Faith is the Godly work of righteous men.

But only grace saves us. And we can do nothing to motivate, initiate, activate, manipulate or create God's grace.

Salvation is all of Him; and none of us.

And further to my post 576, it becomes clearer why men have tried to redefine salvation as something that's determined by faith and not by grace alone.

Faith can be manipulated. Grace cannot.

Faith can be bartered and sold. Grace cannot.

Faith can be misdirected. Grace cannot.

Faith can be subverted. Grace cannot.

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28-29

"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

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:27-28

"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 9:31-33

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Romans 11:5-6

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:15-16

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Titus 3:8

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:23-24

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" Titus 3:4-5

Seems clear to me. Salvation by grace alone through Trinitarian faith in Jesus Christ.