MJM, you seem to contradict yourself when you say your faith is not from yourself but then you say we do choose to put our trust (faith) in God for salvation.
You said you agree with all of the scripture i gave and yet you must not understand it because it teaches that we can do nothing on our own towards salvation.
From that scripture it could probably be said that we are like a lion and anything sinful is like red meat and anything of God is like vegetables. Our nature wants nothing to do with God!
Here is a stupid scenario that maybe could help you.
You believe grace is unmerited favor right?
Say you owe me $100 and i forgive you of the debt if you mow my lawn. Is that grace? Of course not because i am asking you to work for it.
Now we take this same concept to salvation. God says he will forgive you of your sins if you put your faith in him.
Is that grace? Of course not!<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/nope.gif" alt="" />
God gives us his grace first(regenerates us) which then causes us to have faith.
Maybe a stupid scenario that wont help at all. But hey im trying. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bananas.gif" alt="" />
Iv heard people say that its like we are drowning and God has his hand out and all we have to do is grab it. We are not drowning but we are dead! How can we do anything while we are dead???????????????????????
"God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the
called."
