Are people saved by grace through their faith or God's faith?

Question

If we are to believe its by God's faith that He gives grace, as it boldly says in Ephesians 2, and even if we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy), then who does He not give this grace to?

If we do not choose Him, and He chooses us (John 15) and He is not a God who shows favoritism (Romans 2), then whom does He not choose?

If no one comes to Him unless the Father draws him (John 6), and Jesus said when He died, He would draw all men unto Himself (John 12), then whom does He not draw?

Do we serve a Savior of all men, and especially those that believe (1 Timothy 4) or a Savior of all men, but only those that believe?

And finally, if death and hades are indeed to give up the lost souls for final judgement, whats the point of judging them only to throw them back into death and hades?

Weren't they already there to begin with?

Eternal Punishment = kolasin aionion = "Correction/Punishment to the end of an age"

'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' - Mark 7

Answer 1

I think that God gives us these little hints in our lives that in the end, point to his direction. All people can see these hints, thus ppl who end up turning to God have FAITH. Its hard to believe in him cause we cant really see, but those who believe has faith in Christ. Throughout all of time God had faith in his works (us humans) to find our way to him. And in both ways we are saved through our faith but ultimately through his. Because it is his faith in us that drive us towards him.

God bless..

Answer 2

I see you've run across some heretical Calvinistic theology which attempts to eliminate faith on our part as part of the salvation formula.

First of all 2Tim 2:13 is saying that if we are unfaithful He will faithfully cast into hell. He is faithful to what he has promised.

Secondly the "chosing" of John 15 is talking about chosing the apostles. Notice he also says, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" John 6:70 So he's not talking about salvation, he's talking about for a particular purpose.

Thirdly. John 6:44 does not deny our part in coming to faith, only that God must also be involved. It's synergism (cooperation), not monergism (Calvinistic puppet model) he's talking about

Forthly 1Tim 4:10 says, " who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe." He is speaking of "all" men, not just believers. Likewise 1Jo 2:2 "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." And 1Ti 2:4 "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"

Calvinism/Augustinian theology hindered missions for centuries through it's unBiblical prejudice towards non-Christians.

Answer 3

As Abraham had faith in God, God had faith in Abraham. It's the same faith, in covenant. God will not break that covenant, but we can. In doing so, we are without Grace.

We are all drawn to God, by nature. God is not so inclined towards us, and chooses to bring us close.

That day approaches, when all will see him.

He can hold out his hand, but you have to shake it, like in a handshake aggreement, a covenant...the same faith for all.

Answer 4

Deep questions and some of the contradictions we'd like to see resolved before buying into your religion.

Of course, evidence that the book should be believed would help a lot more.