Can you will faith or is faith granted by the grace of god?

Question

Anyone is free to answer this question, but I'd really appreciate contributions from well-read Christian theologians.

Answer 1

Here is what the Bible says: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).

We have faith when we know that God has addressed us. We may develop faith, for instance, when we hear a person preach on a passage and we say, "God is speaking to my heart about that." When we respond to the passage, we act in faith.

Many people believe whatever words they have in their heads, but biblical faith means to be confident that what God says, God will perform - for YOU. This faith is sadly lacking as church-goers do not study the Word enough to hear God speaking to them. They believe in the words as the word of God, but they lack conviction that God Himself is acting for them.

So you don't "will" faith. You have faith when God, by His grace, speaks to you and reminds you that He is with you.

Answer 2

Faith is what keeps you willing to go on when you don't feel you want to.

Faith is knowing that God is and that what the bible says about him is true, even when you don't feel his presence with you.

Fait is not emotional. It comes by the grace of God when you do his will.

Answer 3

It's a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God has given everyone faith, but each person decides himself where he places that faith.

Answer 4

Faith is from God as Grace is also from God. God's Grace allows us a measure of faith...and when we ask Him, He will give us more faith.

Answer 5

Ephesians 2:8-10

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Both grace and faith are gifts of God- and anyone can have access to those gifts if you reach out and take them.

Answer 6

        God has already given every person a bushel basket load of faith (Rom. 12:3). The Believer's duty is to exercise that faith to make it strong. There is an important relationship between knowledge and belief which is consummated by the exercise of faith. From the Good News Bible:

Rom. 10:11-21 The scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." (12) This includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him. (13) As the scripture says, "Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved." (14) But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? (15) And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the scripture says, "How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!" (16) But not all have accepted the Good News. Isaiah himself said, "Lord, who believed our message?" (17) So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ. (18) But I ask: Is it true that they did not hear the message? Of course they did---for as the scripture says: "The sound of their voice went out to all the world; their words reached the ends of the earth." (19) Again I ask: Did the people of Israel not understand? Moses himself is the first one to answer: "I will use a so-called nation to make my people jealous; and by means of a nation of fools I will make my people angry." (20) And Isaiah is even bolder when he says, "I was found by those who were not looking for me; I appeared to those who were not asking for me." (21) But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I held out my hands to welcome a disobedient and rebellious people."

God bless.

Answer 7

I believe you have to be willing to receive faith, pray to God for the faith, which is by will, and in so praying and trusting I think that God will, by His Grace, grant it. I think it takes a combination of will and the Grace of God. Praying and studying the scripture will strengthen your faith.

Answer 8

Faith is the belief, confidence, or trust we have in some person or thing --------- Jesus used the words faith and belief interchangablly ---- " Be ye not faithless, but believing:"

All faith is based upon testimony or evidence - no evidence, no faith.

Answer 9

Hebrews 11:1 - "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld."

Faith is the result of knowledge...

1 Thessalonians 5:21 - "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine."

John 17:3 - "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:9 - "And this is what I continue praying, that YOUR love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment;"

Colossians 1:9 - "That is also why we, from the day we heard [of it], have not ceased praying for YOU and asking that YOU may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension,"

1 Timothy 2:3, 4 - "This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth."

Titus 1:1 - "Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the accurate knowledge of the truth which accords with godly devotion"

There is a direct connection between knowledge and faith.
Blind faith is a very bad thing and should be avoided...

Acts 17:11 - "Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·ni′ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so."

1 John 2:26 - "These things I write YOU about those who are trying to mislead YOU."

1 John 3:7 - "Little children, let no one mislead YOU; he who carries on righteousness is righteous, just as that one is righteous."

I guess I will use my words now. Yes, you can will faith but, it is blind faith and dangerous. Like walking on a high ledge with your eyes closed.

Knowledge is granted to all who seek it, and all those who humble their heart have faith in that knowledge, after they have examined it and seen if it is true or false.

Matthew 11:25 - "At that time Jesus said in response: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes."

Proverbs 26:12 - "Have you seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for the stupid one than for him."

Isaiah 5:21- "Woe to those wise in their own eyes and discreet even in front of their own faces!"

Romans 12:16 - "Be minded the same way toward others as to yourselves; do not be minding lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become discreet in YOUR own eyes."

I hope this is thorough enough for you...

Journey Well...

Answer 10

faith is a gift from God.

Also mentioned in Romans 12 where a measure of faith is given for certain giftings ans services.