Why are you classified as a cult? (measure of Faith)

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Brother Hall,

I think your response to a post (which I believe to 
have been mine) is quite interesting and I must admit 
that had not previously considered the scripture you 
quoted (2 Thes 3:2).

KD> "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is 
KD> among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;
KD> but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the 
KD> measure of faith."    Romans 12:3

I used this scripture to suppose that since all men had been dealt a 
measure of faith, men cannot be saved by faith alone, else all men 
would not be saved.  In particular, I originally chose this because, 
as someone else commented, there are those who are fond of 
using verses in Romans as the plan of salvation (commonly called 
'The Roman Road').  To those who use Romans to teach salvation 
by faith alone and by confession of faith, I use Romans to teach the 
necessity of obedience and of receiving the Holy Ghost. [I use 
scriptures such as Romans 6:17, 10:16, and 8:9]

Perhaps I am guilty of the error I have myself tried to point out, 
just as you mentioned:

SH> Who was Paul talking to in this verse?

Paul was speaking to born-again (repented, baptized, and 
filled with the Holy Ghost) believers.  But not every statement 
Paul makes in this epistle or any of his epistles is always 
directed only at believers.  That being said, the verse you 
caught me on, 2 Thess 3:2, would seem to contradict 
Romans 12:3 indicating that one of these verses is either 
improperly (by me) interpreted or there is something 
deeper at work.  

For your question

SH> How does one lose faith?

I do not have an answer at this time.  But perhaps they 
don't loose it, perhaps they give it away (ie forsake it).
Just a thought

I assume that from your post that you take Romans 12:3 to 
mean that faith is only distributed to believers, somewhat 
in the way that gifts and callings are distributed (see 
2 Cor 10:13; Romans 12:6; 1 Cor 12:11).  Please correct 
me if I have misinterpreted your understanding of this verse. 
I am not saying you are wrong. 

I would ask this, though, does faith originate with man or 
with God?

Kathy Dimick
Falkville, Alabama
kdimick@colsa.com
kedimick@hotmail.com

"For to me to live is Christ"