October 25, 2019
READING TIME: 1 MINUTE OR LESS
Dave, does Romans 12:3 teach that faith for salvation is a gift?
Unfortunately, some Bible teachers take Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7; and 12:8-9 out of context. This particular gift is given to those who are already believers; it refers to the spiritual gift of faith or the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, rather than saving faith for the sinner. These passages have nothing to do with how sinners believe and are saved!
Though all Christians are commanded to believe, i.e., all are commanded to have faith. God has given an extraordinary ability to certain ones whom He has chosen to exercise faith in Him beyond what others can find themselves capable of doing. The ability comes from God, but the exercise of the ability is a human activity and responsibility.
Sources Consulted
Lopez, René A. “Is Faith a Gift from God or a Human Exercise?” Bibliotheca Sacra 164 (July-September 2007): 259-276.
Olson, C. Gordon. Beyond Calvinism & Arminianism: An Inductive Mediate Theology of Salvation. 3rd Edition Expanded, Revised, & Updated. Global Gospel Publishers, 261.
________. Getting the Gospel Right: A Balanced View of Salvation Truth, 224-225.