Where Does FAITH Come from?

By Bob McEvoy - Posted at The Salty Scrivener:

Text: Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

H/C 65. Q. Since then faith alone makes us share in Christ and all his benefits, where does this faith come from? 

A. From the Holy Spirit, who works it in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and strengthens it by the use of the sacraments. 

Faith (Saving faith) is a GIFT that God gives to us. Ephesians 2. So, let’s explore that idea a little more, by asking the question, ‘Where does faith come from, and what is the means by which God gives that faith to us?

1. Faith COMES.
We are not born with inherent faith. We do not inherit faith from our parents or our nationality or culture. We have NO faith in our unregenerate condition.

Faith comes ONLY as a gift. We cannot earn faith or, work it up, or deserve it.

Faith always COMES TO US, FROM OUTSIDE OURSELVES – note well the word used is passive, we do not pull it to us, – it is ‘pushed.’

2. Faith Comes by HEARING.
This is God’s ordained method of transmitting the gift of faith to the human heart. It’s how he does it. Rom 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

Faith does not come by feelings, amusement, group or social interactions, worship, training… Or by the sacraments alone. I need to be careful here, for our Heidelberg instructor reminds us that the sacraments do have a role to play! Not that they convey any faith in and of themselves, but in that rightly administered they become visual aids, to point us to Christ, and thus visually illustrate the gospel for us.

Read more...