FreeGrace2 said:
Gen 15:6 - Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
No, if what you say is true it would say "righteousness was credited to him for faith", not "faith was credited to him for righteousness".
Do you realize what you are saying? I quoted the verse and you try to be some kind of expert about what I believe to tell me that if I'm right the verse would be different? Are you kidding??
I believe the verse AS IT STANDS. So don't tell me how it would read if I am right. I believe what it says. Don't you?
Besides, how could an imperfect faith, from an imperfect person, result in perfect righteousness? The faith in view must be
a perfect given by Christ alone.
Who says one's trust in Christ is imperfect? You got a verse for that comment? No, you don't. All you have are opinions.
The Bible teaches quite clearly that salvation is based on man trusting in what Jesus did for him and gives eternal life to those who do trust Him.
1 Cor 1:21 - For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him,
God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached
to save those who believe.
I've highlighted the main point of the verse. Do you believe the red words? It seems to me that you don't believe them.
What say you?
[Gal 3:6 KJV] 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
So, where is this "imperfect faith" that you speak of? I don't see it.
[Phl 1:29 KJV] 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Other translations use "granted" which conveys the meaning better.
iow, God permits man to believe.
What the verse does NOT SAY is that God causes people to believe.