I think that question could be simply answered by allowing that GIFT of GRACE = salvation. But for your grace I would not be saved.. Without the gift of God's grace, we have no chance of salvation.

Jhn 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?

John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

"wrought", (by implication) effected, be engaged in or with, in God". Doing the truth of believing is "engaged in or with in God"

There are two ways of hearing, one believing what man has said, the other believing what Jesus Himself says. One unto earthly things the other unto heavenly things.

John 4:39-42 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Why did Paul believe? Jesus Himself spoke to him. Paul's faith was in the Law before and could not save him. Now his faith was in Christ and would not only save him but make him the greatest preacher of Christ, the world has ever known. It takes Christ Himself by the Holy Spirit Comforter speaking Christ to us that we might believe and be Saved through The Grace of God by the Faith of God.

Since we no longer know Christ the man, we know Him by the Holy Spirit. 2Cr 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [Him] no more.

John 14:20-21 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.

No one can believe unless The Holy Spirit brings this Christ to us and by His testimony in us through truth of Him by His faith are we able to believe. His Rest, His life, His Faith, His Cross, His sending the Comforter that introduces us to Him is the only way we can believe, then we have a different faith, just as we have a new life and are now son's of God. "Not as the world giveth", but as Jesus Christ Himself giveth.

John 14:26-29 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Do we believe? Even after it has come? By who do we believe? John 14:26-29 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

In the Faith of Christ by whom we now live;
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.

Not I, but Christ who liveth in me;

Phillip

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Phillip

Who's faith saves us? 2 Timothy 1:5-6 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Timothy's mother and grandmother's and Timothy's faith were a "Gift of God". Sound familiar?
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Merry Christmas: Phillip

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Phillip

God is the giver of Faith and Grace. We are resposible for not having faith because we choose not to have it and would never choose to have it without God's grace.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, … faithfulness

1 Peter 1:5
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

If we are justified by faith how can we say that we are able without grace to have faith?

Romans 8:7
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Romans 12:3
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

http://www.ligonier.org/

http://public.csusm.edu/public/guests/rsclark/predestination.htm

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/piper/faith01.html

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Kristy