Faith is an interesting topic within the Judeo-Christian belief system.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

BY FAITH ARE YOU SAVED AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES.

Is our faith of man or of God? Or is faith two fold — a gift from God to be acted on by man?

Let me tell you why I ask. We know that faith is a gift from God, and we know that Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, but not everyone has a chance to hear the word of God. So would that not mean that there are some who would have no chance for salvation? Yet, scripture is definite, that God is no respecter of persons.

Here is what Paul says:

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NASB

Is this measure of faith that we are given the same as that given by hearing the word?

There are two Greek words used in Romans 12:3 meaning everyone or every man. The last translated each in this verse above implies a universal far reaching everyone. This tends to make more sense as having been given by a Perfect God who is no respecter of persons. One who would have Himself sought after by all mankind.

I tend to believe that this faith that is given to every man is given at birth. Here is why I think that.

We know that every man has faith in something, even if it is only in himself. And God has given evidence of Himself in the creation which every man needs in order to know that there is a creator (Rom.1). Yet men put their gift of faith in His creation over and above Him. But those who seek Him, who believe that He is, find Him.

There are cases of Muslims testifying that they found Him through Dreams and angelic visions.

This faith comes to all men through the Grace of the sovereign God given to all men. But the shield of faith to be used for our warfare comes only from the word of God. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” We must put on this faith on our own. It is our responsibility to do so. And then it is our responsibility to wield it against our enemy’s darts.

Faith then appears to be both a gift and a rewarded piece of our weaponry, gained through our study of the word.