Faith is merely a passive instrument, like a hand into which someone places a dollar. The person receives the dollar provided he does not withdraw his hand; beyond that he does not have to do anything. The donor is doing the essential part by putting the gift into the hand, not the other party, by holding out the hand.
A quote from CFW Walther's book, "Law and Gospel," as found in "Predestination" by John Moldstad Jr., page 86, Northwestern Publishing House
