Faith is, in the Scriptures, called a work, only in the sense that man’s active powers are engaged in it. It is a work which God requires, yet which God enables man to perform (John 6:29—ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ. _Cf._ Rom. 1:17—δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ). As the gift of God and as the mere taking of undeserved mercy, it is expressly excluded from the category of works upon the basis of which man may claim salvation (Rom. 3:28; 4:4, 5, 16). It is not the act of the full soul bestowing, but the act of an empty soul receiving. Although this reception is prompted by a drawing of heart toward God inwrought by the Holy Spirit, this drawing of heart is not yet a conscious and developed love: such love is the result of faith (Gal. 5:6). What precedes faith is an unconscious and undeveloped tendency or disposition toward God. Conscious and developed affection toward God, or love proper, must always follow faith and be the product of faith. So, too, obedience can be rendered only after faith has laid hold of Christ, and with him has obtained the spirit of obedience (Rom. 1:5—ὑπακοὴν πίστεως = “obedience resulting from faith”). Hence faith is not the procuring cause of salvation, but is only the instrumental cause. The procuring cause is the Christ, whom faith embraces. _John 6:29_—“_This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent_”; _cf._ _Rom. 1:17_—“_For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith_”; _Rom. 3:28_—“_We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law_”; _4:4, 5, 16_—“_Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.... For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace_”; _Gal. 5:6_—“_For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love_”; _Rom. 1:5_—“_through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations._”