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NASB | Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; |
Subject: Keliy, can faith be predetermined? |
Bible Note: Hello KcabmI4 Very Good question, but it is a little vague to me, so I can only try my best for you. I will run through some parts of your query and try to sum up at the end. Part 1, Is this saying: A person that is not being saved cannot be having Faith? -Not sure. But I do believe that the devil has faith in God, probably knowing the Bible better than us. The devil believes, as he trembles. Part 2, Is it also saying to a saved person? The Statement, made by Paul, who is saved contains "we" so I see him including himself, with his kinsmen. Part 3, If you are trying to live a life towards God by trying to keep laws your faith is then shut away again. That, is hard to answer, brother. Does a person attempt salvation through the law while maintaining a faithful relationship with God? Did he have a saving faith? What God was he trying to please by keeping the law? I am sorry to answer a question with a question, But Verse 24 says, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. So, the law convicts us of our sin, and our need for a Savior. Part 4, We are having the choice to either be keeping of the Laws. Or we can be having Faith. Let me go to Matt 19:16-22. A young man went to Jesus asking what could he do that he may have eternal life. Jesus said, "...keep the commandments" to which the man replied I have kept these from my youth, what do I lack? Jesus said "to be perfect, sell what you have, give it to the poor, and follow me." The young man walked away sorrowful. Jesus knew the man's heart. The man's first mistake was to think that there was something he could DO to gain eternal life. Jesus answered, "If thou wilt be perfect..." So, the standard that must be met is God's standard of perfection. That is humanly impossible. There is no choice to either keep the laws Or to have faith. The law did not ever teach of gaining salvation through the law. But by the sacrifices, it was pointing to Christ, so the law was simply a servant of Christ. Verse 24 calls it "a schoolmaster." Who is a schoolmaster employed by, the school, or the students? (the students do not sign his paycheck) Weymouth New Testament translates v.23 thusly: Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed. I am not sure how to apply that verse in Galatians to our selves today, but there certainly are parallels. Many today continue to live in darkness because they love their sin and also their idols of this world. They are blinded by their pursuit of pleasure, so they attempt to shut the light out. But the sinner that opens his eyes to the light discovers his miserable condition. Then he is able to understand in his own heart that the grace of God and His mercy are the only hope. The letters of the law are signs that show us our need for forgiveness, and bring us to Christ. After that we can use the law for judging ourselves and we begin to depend upon our Savior for strength and wisdom. I hope I answered your questions well enough. Did I miss anything? I will be here if you need something more. Lord Bless, keliy |