The only citing that came close to saying faith is a gift is the Eph. 2:8-9 one.Certainly!
Romans 8:29-30
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."
Ephesians 2:8-9..........
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 10:17.........
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
John 6:44.......
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."
EVERYONE has faith. Some more than others. The real question is what do you have faith in?
And the Eph. 2 "gift" is His grace, not faith.
I was...before I repented of sin. (Acts 3:26, 26:18,20)You said.........
I am glad that His gifts also allow me to now live without sinning.
I am sorry to be the one to tell you this my dear friend, but you are wrong. YOU are just as much a sinner as was Hitler, Judas and ME!
I was...before the old me was destroyed and a new me was raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4)
Misused scripture, again.Romans 3:23..........
"ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Jesus didn't sin, so your point is moot.
If the repentant and reborn of God's seed still committed sin, then there is now sin in God in whom we walk.
That can't happen. (1 John 1:5)
Then rebirth from God's accomplishes nothing.You may very well be a FORGIVEN sinner...........But you are still a sinner!
The devil loves it when men use scripture against Godliness.In fact, to say that ........"I am glad that His gifts also allow me to now live without sinning"......is the sin of PRIDE and that is the sin God hates the most!!!
Jesus commanded us to be as perfect as God is perfect, in Matt 5:48.
Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection facilitated a perfectly sinless life.
My statements glorify God, not me.