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If we are to believe that a God made us, then implicit in this belief is that he gave us our various capacities for belief.
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Well, you hit on the key issue.
On the one hand in this thread, we have a Christian who says "It's your choice to believe or not."
On the other hand in this thread, we have a Christian who says "It's not about works."
I don't think they realize they don't agree with each other.
If I accept that Christ's work is entirely sufficient for salvation, then indeed my salvation is entirely dependent on what I do, in the case of those under the impression that you "choose" what you believe.
But a certain psychological defense is required to be joyful and happy under the impression that pretty much everyone around you is going to spend an eternity in torment. Alternatively, one harbors a lifetime of resentments in the hope that, like in the parable of Lazarus and the rich master, you'll actually get to see them suffering and refuse help.
(not the dead-alive-and then dead again Lazarus, the other Lazarus from the parable)