Is faith a gift from God or is it self-generated?

QUESTION:

According to Ephesians 2v8-9, is faith a gift from God or is it self-generated? If I believed and made it to heaven and you didn't did I save myself by my faith?

ANSWER:

Great question. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that salvation is by grace through faith, and not of ourselves—it’s the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. But what does that mean for faith itself?

Some believe faith is part of the gift, that God gives it directly and irresistibly. That’s the Reformed view. But from a dispensational perspective, which I hold to, grace is the gift, and faith is the means by which we receive it. Faith isn’t meritorious—it doesn’t earn salvation—but it is the God-ordained condition for receiving it. Romans 4:5 backs this up: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

So no, you didn’t save yourself by believing. God saved you—through faith. You responded to the gospel, and that response didn’t make you the saviour. It simply received the Saviour.

Let’s summarise it clearly:

• Salvation is by grace (God’s unmerited favour),
• Through faith (your trust in Christ),
• Not of works (not earned or deserved),
• So no one can boast (even about their faith).

If someone ends up in heaven, it’s not because they were smarter, better, or more spiritual. It’s because they responded to the gospel in faith. That faith doesn’t make them the saviour—it simply receives the Saviour. Salvation is by grace, through faith, not of works. That’s why no one can boast—not even about their faith.