Suppose someone anonymously sent you a check for $1,000,000. The money is yours if you want it, but you still must endorse the check. In no way can signing your name be considered earning the million dollars—the endorsement is a non-work. You can never boast about becoming a millionaire through sheer effort or your own business savvy. No, the million dollars was simply a gift, and signing your name was the only way to receive it. Similarly, exercising faith is the only way to receive the generous gift of God, and faith cannot be considered a work worthy of the gift.
Do you get the money without signing or is the signature REQUIRED? I'm glad you used this example, I use similar examples myself. There are "works" one must perform BUT those "works" are not enough to EARN the gift. When you perform those works, you are "signing the check" so to speak, not earning anything. MP believes that repentance is a work that folks do to try to earn salvation when it, along with other things, are simply "signing the check". No, signing the check, taking it to the bank, depositing it isn't earning it but you will not enjoy the benefits of that check without doing those things. You don't get the money by simply saying thank you. There are things you have to do to accept the money. Abraham had faith in God when he was told to go into another land. He "signed the check" by packing up and going (obedience).
I do see what you are saying. I’m not sure I agree with you… but I understand the point you are making.
The check was probably not a great example.
I guess to enjoy the benefits of any gift you have to use it. Or I would even say you would want to use it. But even if you never use it and enjoy the benefits… you still have it.
Here’s a thought…
So if faith is given to us by God, do we have the choice of to not use it? Or not have it? I would say no. By the definition of faith, if we have it, it is already in use. If he hasn’t given it to us, then we can’t have it.
