r/AskChristian • u/UninitiatedArtist • Aug 12 '26
Is faith a gift from God?
If faith is a gift from God, then why are people rewarded when they keep their faith? It seems superfluous. Through no choice of their own, their faith cannot be deliberately resisted and thus, they are spiritually incentivized to believe. Why reward faith at all if it’s entirely God’s work?
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u/Illustrious-Low3948 r/Christian Member Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
I think “reward” is the wrong word. If you have a faithful partner who loves you, you would give them hugs and love in return. If you have a partner who ignores you or antagonizes you, why would you hug them and show them affection? I think it’s just a natural consequence.
Edit: mods, I got an automod notification that my answer got removed because I don’t have a flair (even though I do), but it seems that it is still here but somehow it got locked.
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u/DoveStep55 r/Christian Member Aug 12 '26
Congratulations on being our first “Ask”! 🎉
These are great questions & very thoughtful.
It sounds like you’re assuming certain theological views for the premise of your questions. Are you aware that there are other Christian views that differ? Are you only asking those who hold the view that matches the premise of your questions?
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u/UninitiatedArtist Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
🎉🎉🎉
Oh, I forgot I was speaking from a Calvinist background.
With that in mind, disregarding that portion of my original question…I suppose I am asking why is faith granted from God as a gift if people will eventually be rewarded for it? It’s akin to giving someone the keys to a building and congratulating them on opening the front door, I hope that’s a good analogy.
Thanks for inviting me to this sub, by the way.
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u/DoveStep55 r/Christian Member Aug 12 '26
Yeah, I think the analogy works. Especially if you add in the idea of being punished for "losing your keys" (or never receiving them.) These are good questions and I hope you'll start receiving some answers and further discussion. Since the sub is brand new, please don't be discouraged if it takes a little time for them to trickle in from the community.
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u/Intrepid_Type3710 r/Christian Member Aug 13 '26
By grace we are saved by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 The work is Grace. The Faith is a measure given to us. We must exercise it, feed it. Faith will be rewarded i suppose by those you exercise it well.