2 Thessalonians 1:3

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

The only things that are alive grow. 

Daniel 4:17

This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

When the lost first come to Christ and are born again, their spirit quickens, becoming alive in Christ. We had little understanding, little faith and little love. All of that grew as we grew in faith. We changed from faith to faith. We matured and our love expanded from just loving God to loving what God loves.

All this became possible because we placed our faith in Christ.

By faith I believe that these articles are sent to the lost. How can they receive it if their faith is still dead? They might say they have faith, but what does dead faith gain them?

James 2:14-26

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Faith will sow according to where it is planted. Place faith in the stock market and it sows either riches or bankruptcy with no guarantee of either. It is beyond the control of the investor.

Plant faith in Christ and what He sows is within His control but we know by the scriptures what His purpose and intent can produce. That is a bride betrothed to Himself and glory to the Father.

If the lost understood that from the beginning they might not choose to place their faith in Christ.

This is why Jesus reached out to the oppressed because they desired with all their heart a better life. Those with pride of life will not seek a better life.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

The Helper has led me to this verse by the issue of remembrance. That means that I had to have at least read the bible in order to remember this passage.

Believing that the Helper has led me here requires that there is a purpose behind being led by faith. What value is there to others who have not yet read the bible to have this passage presented to them?

Is faith a gift to all mankind or only those who have been born again? Let us not revisit the issues of faith concerning Hebrews and Islam, let us look at it from the standpoint of the lost.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Whosoever is an all inclusive term. Because this is true then the issue of believing in Jesus is part of the question since we are saved by grace through faith. Since grace is unmerited favor then it can be said that faith is given in the same way, a free gift to all mankind.

• 1 Corinthians 15:17
  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
  2 Corinthians 13:5
  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
• 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.

All these scriptures tell us what faith does but does not answer what is faith. Perhaps the question itself is flawed. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3