A simple fact

As I understand, only the born again, from Abel to Abraham, to Peter worshipped YHWH by divine revelation. And Jesus as YHWH when he arrived physically as the Son of Man. So it was always the New Birth, given by God, that enabled faith in him.

 

I would urge you to reconsider that school of thought. Scripture is clear that believing God at His Word will bring about the New Birth.

Christ coming to earth is a unique situation in that Jews who were already born again would get a chance to See their God in the Flesh and follow Him as well--and truly born again people WOULD have followed Jesus (if you followed my Father you will also follow me). I've addressed this in my posts. Unbelieving-non born again Jews would not come to Jesus because they would not come to Yahweh--this is the point Jesus was making. He was having a conversation with a specific audience at a specific time in His ministry.

We as gentiles are called to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ--who have NO clue who Yahweh is--and from there we receive the New birth.

 

But we must remember, faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This means, one must first have the New Birth before any true understanding of scripture is possible. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Galatians 5:22) (KJV 1900)

We already pointed out how nasty the flesh is, and it would never receive Christ on its own.

 

What does Scripture say?

Ephesians 1
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

It's always the Same--Heard the Word of Truth, Believed on the Lord Jesus, New Birth. The Gospel has the Power to bring Salvation.

 

Wrong, the power to salvation is found in the gospel romans 1:16 and faith comes from hearing the word of God Romans 10:17

 

But without first having the Holy Spirit it yields no fruit. “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” (Ephesians 2:8–10) (NET)

 

The gift is grace not faith

 

What good is grace that does not save? If it only allows you to save yourself it is not grace.

 

Please show me what passage that question comes from.

 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) (KJV 1900)

 

Its both, as sinners have no faith in themselves....

 

If it is a condition for salvation you must choose to meet - it is.

 

No, its a choice.

 

I don't recall our conversation you refer to....

 

If you must choose to believe, it is because you do not. I need not choose to believe the chair exists that I'm sitting in while typing this.

 

Believing it exists is not a "work." Could you type if you didn't believe the keyboard was there?

 

If it is a choice, it is a work. Moreover, if you must choose to believe, it is because you do not believe. I need not choose to believe in Jesus, he is in my heart.