[Quester]

"I am simply saying that any man or woman ... who has been granted the gift of faith by God ... can accept God's offer of salvation ... all within the scope of God's predestined will."

Thanks for the clarification. The only part that I seem to be confused by is that if God gave man a "gift of faith" wouldn't that mean man would accept God's offering of salvation since he has faith?

Such would appear to be a reasonable inference, ... however ...

I note that Paul says, in Romans 12:3, that "God has granted to every man the measure of faith" ...

... and that James makes a clear distinction between a living faith and a dead faith.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Thus, ... the answer is not not so clearly established for me.

[HarleyD]

The faith talked about in Romans 12:3 is the faith God accords to believers:

“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ.” Romans 12:3-5

Conversely, God does not give faith to everyone and Paul makes this contrast:

“and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith” 2 Thes 3:2

Your verses in James are consistent with Paul belief. James simply state that if there is no evidence of works in your life and your attitude is off base then you have to question your faith.

“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into you assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes…have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?” James 2:1-4

“But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” James 2:9

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” James 2:14

Paul states the same thing:

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Cor 13:5

To me it’s clear that unbelievers do not have faith in God. Believers, OTOH are to constantly examine themselves to see if they are in the faith and walking with God's Holy Spirit.