Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

The Helper has led me to this verse by the issue of remembrance. That means that I had to have at least read the bible in order to remember this passage.

Believing that the Helper has led me here requires that there is a purpose behind being led by faith. What value is there to others who have not yet read the bible to have this passage presented to them?

Is faith a gift to all mankind or only those who have been born again? Let us not revisit the issues of faith concerning Hebrews and Islam, let us look at it from the standpoint of the lost.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Whosoever is an all inclusive term. Because this is true then the issue of believing in Jesus is part of the question since we are saved by grace through faith. Since grace is unmerited favor then it can be said that faith is given in the same way, a free gift to all mankind.

• 1 Corinthians 15:17
  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
  2 Corinthians 13:5
  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
• Galatians 2:16
  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
• Galatians 2:20
  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

All these scriptures tell us what faith does but does not answer what is faith. Perhaps the question itself is flawed. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3

James 1:3

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Who is administering the testing of our faith?

Does that thought scare anyone? It shouldn’t because Jesus warned us about the enemies of the cross.

Sinful mankind is not listening to the devil and serving his agenda. It is their own sinfulness in a defensive posture because they would rather defend their sins than confess them. It is obvious to observers of faith that they are proud of their sin. 

Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Now read this testing of my faith.

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Here is the word of God saying that the devil oppressed people. That sounds like my comment above about listening to the devil is wrong. Can I be wrong? Sure but my faith says truth comes by hearing. 

What I hear is that Jesus did not heal everyone. Is it possible that those who He did not heal were not oppressed by the devil? Sure it is possible but I do not know that with any certainty.

Mark 2:17

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

During covid shutdown students were kept home and asked to use their computers to obtain an education. Recent studies say that method led to failing grades. Self testing did not work in the world. In kingdom living we are not alone and our Helper, the Spirit of God, helps us as we study at home. We can administer the testing of our faith in the area of knowing His Word and answering His commands.

Those that do not have the Helper do not have a way to listen to God or to enter into this very personal relationship with God. They refuse to have their faith tested.