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.
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