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NASB | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
Bible Question (short): why would God withhold the gift of faith |
Question (full): I have two quesions about your comment "Grace, we all agree, is from God alone and does not depend on an act of assent from it's recipient." In Romans 5:2, Paul says "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Paul seems to be saying that access to this grace is by faith. 1. Isn't this faith an "assent from it's recipient"? 2. If not, is faith involuntary? Also, regarding your questions "Does "saving faith", come from God alone as well? Or, is it an intrinsic attribute common to all men, fallen and born-again alike?" My understanding is that our intrinsic attributes as His creation include genuine freedom to choose. I grant that saving faith is not part of a person, at least until that person chooses it, by surrendering to the Spirit, acknowledging their guilt and repenting of their wickedness. Otherwise, 3. how can we understand that an all-loving, all powerful, all wise God would withhold faith from some, only to result in them being damned? 4. Why would God create people He knows can never be saved because He withholds the gift of faith? Parable |