Page 71 - Ephesians

word “That”, and “That, not of yourselves”. Then the word
“it”. “It” is the gift of God.

To what does the word “That”, refer? Some believe it describes
the “faith” that God says “is not of yourselves”. They use this
verse to show that even the faith, by which you trust God, is a
gift. It is totally from God, not originating with man. Is faith a gift
of grace, or can I believe, without the grace of God? The Bible
gives an unqualified “yes”. Faith is a gift of grace. But
Ephesians 2:8, is not the strongest text to prove it. I like Ephesian
6:23, concerning the gift of grace.

“Peace be to the brethren and love, with faith from God, the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

That comes right out and says, faith is from God. Or how about
Acts 18:27, speaking of Apollos,

“He helped greatly those who had believed through grace.”

You see, no act of faith can be exercised apart from the life of
God. It’s got to be inspired (God breathed). Just, as the Lord
breathed life into Adam, and Jesus, breathed life into His
disciples. The grace of God is the fountain of all spiritual life.
Faith belongs to God. We don’t want to dethrone Christ by
exalting faith.

What does the word, “That” refer to? By grace I was saved,
“Through faith and that not of yourselves”. It speaks of the
entire salvation process. Salvation past, salvation present, and
salvation future. This great salvation, is not of ourselves. You
see, “That”, includes faith, and everything else that comes with
our redemption. Don’t limit it to faith alone. It includes
repentance, hunger, thirst, seeking, praying, illumination,
quickening, forgiveness and heaven in the end. The full salvation
process. All of the blessings, God has rained on our heads. The