Grace, Faith, and Merit

In my last post "Obstacles to Grace?" I quickly stated, " It might seem that 'having faith' is something 'done' by the believer.  I think not, but for the sake of space I will save that for the next post."  I would like to revisit that thought in this post; however, as I have been pondering that statement I have come to the conclusion that the issue at hand concerns Christian faith and merit. Is a Christian's faith in Christ worthy of merit?  Another way to say the same thing...Is grace faith-dependent in such a way that faith may be considered a work (i.e. something done that deserves recompense) through which grace is earned?

Obstacles to Grace?

Last week I was invited into a discussion concerning one short phrase, "obstacles to grace."  The question under consideration could be stated as follows, "Does the phrase 'obstacles to grace' inform or misinform one's understanding of the gospel of grace?"  I realize that some might complain that such a discussion is unhelpful and simply a wrangling over words. That may be the case.  Even so, I liken it to two objects placed on different trajectories. If the two objects begin in the same general place, their difference in trajectory may not be so easily observed. Nonetheless, as the two objects move in the direction of their respective trajectories the difference becomes obvious.  A short phrase like 'obstacles to grace' may seem harmless enough prima facie.  However, I think it may be an unhelpful phrase and have negative import in relation to one's understanding of the gospel of grace.