I would hope that most XN’s would NOT equate that.
But I do remember a bit of a dust-up here a year or so ago, where Faith was considered ‘a good work’; the impression being given that faith is not necessary to ‘get to heaven’.
One side of the dust-up was saying that Christ has abolished the need for good works (including faith) as the way ‘to heaven’.
One side was saying that, obviously, we need to respond to the good news by trusting God, and that is not a ‘good work’ but what God wants - our Trust.
FWIW I think the two sides were/are talking past one another: both sides want to glorify God thru Christ Jesus; but the quibble comes in over the usage of the word ‘faith’; when side one says ‘faith’ the side two hears ‘works’; when side two says ‘faith’ side one hears 'not OUR faith, that would rob Christs’s work of it’s glory and you might as well try to follow the Law to ‘get into heaven’.
The disagreement is therefore mainly on the surface at this level of discussion. But the feelings and convictions tied to this seem to go deep, I"m not sure why, but it seems like there are two sub-cultures, two ways of seeing, perhaps two traditions, neither really understanding the other. Just a guess.
Amen to that. I think that is pure Christianity. If we can agree on this, I suggest we don’t argue too much over what I think was a misfortunate emphasis by Mike, on the phrase ‘faith of God’. If he agrees with what davo has written above, and just leave it there, I’d be a happier man.