Where does faith come from? From us.
Wow. How did you miss Ephesians 2:8-10? Paul here seems to say exactly the opposite of what you propose.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
In 2 Thess 1:3, Paul says that he thanks God always for their increasing faith. Now why would God be thanked for something that allegedly comes from man? Or how about Hebrews 12:2 where the author states that "Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith." Now what does that mean that Jesus is the author? Does that mean that man is the author? Does it please God when you claim credit for something that He did?
"There is no suggestion that God REALLY means “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found someone given such faith.”
Really? So you deny Luke 17:5 where the apostles asked the LORD to "increase our faith"? Or when the father of the mute child in Mark 9:24 asks God to "help my unbelief"? Were no questions raised in your mind as to why, out of billions of people inhabiting the antediluvian world, that Noah was the only one who found grace and faith? Since "grace" is unmerited favor, it could not possibly be a reward for conjuring up faith, but surely, as the Apostle Paul taught, faith is a gift from God - a product of His Grace.
Also, for you to hold on to this fallacy that man can manufacture his own faith, and therefore somehow make a "free will" choice to "accept" Christ or reject Him, you must categorically reject the entire Bible's depiction and description of carnal man.
In Romans, Paul says that "no one seeks after God" (3:11) which is just repeating Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-4. Yet you say that man does seek after God. In contrast to the other Scripture contradicting your opinions of faith, in 8:8 Paul also says that "those in the flesh can not please God". So how is it that you can please God by your own faith when God says you can't ?
You say that you can conjure up your own faith, but how exactly can you have faith in the Gospel when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man can't understand the Scriptures since it is only spiritually discerned? I suppose you can be passionate about some belief system, but the Bible says it won't be the Gospel. Why? I suspect it is as Paul writes in 2 Cor 4:4-6 where the "god of this world" has blinded the minds let the Gospel shine on them. Exactly how does "free will" work out when Satan is blinding them so they can't understand the Gospel? Jesus Christ Himself in John 6:44-45 said that "No one can come to Me unless the Father draws Him". This statement makes absolutely no sense if there is Free Will, but makes total sense in the Predestination context. In 1 John 2:20,27, those who believe are told that we do so because "we have an anointing of the Holy Spirit". Later in 5:20 we read that it is God who gives us this understanding of the Gospel. So God is taking credit for your faith and knowledge in Him. Where is there room for you to boast about how you did this on your own free will? Doesn't John write in his Gospel that faith didn't come from the will of man or the will of the flesh but of God (1:12)? So when the Scriptures plainly and vehemently deny Free Will, who are you to say otherwise? (Eph 2:9)
The Scriptures also teach that the natural man hates God and hates the Law. (Ro 8:7) Jesus says that the whole world hates Him (Jn 7:7). Are you of this world or are you a space alien? To be a free willer you must also take full credit for something that God has claimed for Himself. In Col 1:21 we read that we all were alienated and enemies of God until HE reconciled us. Natural man loves sin and is glad when others sin (Ps 50:18; Hos 7:3; Mark 14:10-11; Rom 1:31)
The Scriptures say that the natural man is spiritually dead (Eph 2:1,5; 5:14) and in John 5:21, Jesus takes full credit for bringing about spiritual life. So how is it that you feel you can claim credit for raising yourself up from the dead?
In summary, the natural man hates God, hates righteousness, loves his sin, encourages other to do same, doesn't seek after God, can't please God, can't understand the Scriptures because both Satan and God have blinded the world outside of the Elect so that they can't believe, and would prefer to be crushed by rocks than bow to Christ (Rv 6:15-16).
But let me guess, none of this describes you.
“How did you miss Ephesians 2:8-10? Paul here seems to say exactly the opposite of what you propose.”
Please see post #102:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2769777/posts?page=102#102
“In 2 Thess 1:3, Paul says that he thanks God always for their increasing faith.”
2 Thess 1: “3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.”
Notice it does not say what you said it did.
This happens again:
“So you deny Luke 17:5 where the apostles asked the LORD to “increase our faith”?”
“5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Does Jesus reply, “Why yes, I’ll give you more faith!”
No. Jesus says the size of their faith - and note, it is THEIRS, something they HAVE - is not the issue, but where it is placed. They didn’t need more faith, but to place what faith they had in God.
“Or when the father of the mute child in Mark 9:24 asks God to “help my unbelief”?”
The passage:
21And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23And Jesus said to him, “’If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Again, Jesus does not say, “OK, I’ll give you more belief!” He accepts what belief the man has, for it isn’t the amount, but who it is placed in that matters.
“Since “grace” is unmerited favor, it could not possibly be a reward for conjuring up faith, but surely, as the Apostle Paul taught, faith is a gift from God - a product of His Grace.”
Apart from the fact that Paul wrote no such thing, you err in understanding what faith is. When someone believes the promise of God, that is, by definition, faith. Grace is not something we buy with faith, but faith is our response to God’s grace. God’s grace is given freely, to the just and unjust, and those who accept it (believe God means it) have faith.
“In Romans, Paul says that “no one seeks after God” (3:11) which is just repeating Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-4. Yet you say that man does seek after God.”
I think it is a bit unfair of you to jump in on a thread of over 200 posts without bothering to read them before typing your replies. That statement is ridiculous to anyone who has read this thread.
So please go back and read what people have said before you make accusations. Frankly, I shouldn’t have to post the same comment 15 times on one thread for someone to know I’ve made it. I’m tired, and have no desire to debate someone who only reads his own posts.
This has been a good thread. Please take the time to read it. I may not agree with everyone I’ve pinged, but by and large they have made sincere and thoughtful points.