In light of yesterday's Epiphany readings I wanted to elaborate.
there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him. [...] In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet(Mt 2)
10 But glory, and honour, and peace to every one that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For whosoever have sinned without the law, shall perish without the law; and whosoever have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law. 13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature those things that are of the law; these having not the law are a law to themselves: 15 Who shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them, and their thoughts between themselves accusing, or also defending one another, 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
(Rm 2)
he saw, and believed
(John 20:8)
Increase our faith
(Luke 17:5)
Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:15)
[the believers] have obtained equal faith with us in the justice of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord: 3 As all things of his divine power which appertain to life and godliness, are given us, through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own proper glory and virtue. 4 By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world. 5 And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; 6 And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; 7 And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. 8 For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time.
(2 Peter 1)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith
(2 Timothy 4:7)
What we learn form this that the natural religious impulse is given all men as part of the natural law; but faith is not given as a finished product. Faith needs to be sought. often through an arduous journey, and to the seeker it will be given, and once it is given, the work of santification begins till sin is conquered -- and only then the salvation is secure in the believer. The gospel calls everyone, just like the star shone to everyone, but not everyone will have the wisdom to follow the call to worship; among those who do, some will not complete the race.
I am flagging others to see if I see the process correctly.
Me: The capacity to love and know God is given everyone as part of natural law "written in the hearts" of all men. To have a better formed faith requires a church life, generally speaking.
Consider the Parable of the Sower of the Seed. Not only is the seed important, but the ground it lands upon as well.
Regards
The problem I see is that, according to scripture, non-believers do not seek after God. Faith comes to us through hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And as Christians the only way we can receive greater faith (IMHO) is to understand and seek out God through His word. We're not nearly as diligent about this as we should be (including myself).
My apologies. Here I am talking about the word of God and yet fail to post references. I would post the scriptural references but I'm having a bit of a problem with the Internet at the moment.