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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 14, 1882

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 8, No. 47.

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Faith.

By B. R. Nordyke

BY B. R. NORDYKE.
THE apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, chap. 11, says, "Now faith is the substance (ground or confidence, margin) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." In the sixth verse he says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." Verses 24-26.
We are justified by faith without the deeds of the law. In speaking about circumcision and the Jews, Paul says in Rom. 3:28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith." He is speaking to the Jews concerning their boasting in the deeds of the law, and tells them that they are so desirous of the praise of men that they transgress the law of God, and desire only to make an outward show in the flesh. See Rom. 2:28, 29. "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." In Rom. 2:21-23, Paul upbraids them for transgressing the ten commandments. And in the first twenty verses of this same chapter he shows them that circumcision will not justify them, but faithful obedience to the law of God. (Ex. 20.) "For not the hearers of the law are justified before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom. 13:13.
The reader must keep clear in his mind the fact that the ceremonial laws "were shadows of things to come." Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:16, 17. And that they were "abolished, or blotted out, being nailed to the cross." Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14. But the law of God, the ten commandments, is not abolished. Christ says in Matt. 5:17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law," etc. "For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Verse 18. Paul says, in 1 Tim. 1:8, 9, "We know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane," etc.That we are sanctified by faith, see Acts 26:18. "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." In Mark 11:22; John 6:29; 14:1; 20:31; Acts 20:21; and 2 Cor. 13:14, we are taught to have faith in and believe on the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Faith is given us by the Spirit. "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Cor. 2:5. Also read verses 13, 14 and chapter 12:8, 9, "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit."
That we should have faith in Christ is taught in Acts 8:12. "When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women." Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15. We should all come into the unity of the faith. Read the third verse of Jude, and the whole of the fourth chapter of Ephesians.
Faith leads to salvation. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not be damned." Mark 16:16. "As many as received him, to them gave he power (the right or privilege, marginal note) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12. "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." John 3:16. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Verse 36. Read John 6:40-47. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31. Paul and Silas spake unto him "the word of the Lord, and he and all his were baptized, straightway, believing in God." Read Gal. 3:11; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 1:9; 1 John 5:10.
Faith produces peace, joy, and hope in believing. See Rom. 5:1; 15:13; 2 Cor. 4:13; 1 Pet. 1:8. And overcometh the world. 1 John 5:4.
Faith is the shield of the Christian. Read Gal. 6:6; 1 Thess. 5:8.
But faith without works is dead. Jas. 2:17-24. "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit (or breath, marginal note) is dead so faith without works is dead." In the first part of this chapter James refers to the ten commandments and shows conclusively that they must be obeyed in truth and in deed. He calls them "the royal law" and "the law of liberty." Dear reader are you faithful in obedience to this law? Be true in your love to God, as set forth in the first four commandments and your love toward your fellow-man, as presented in the last six commandments. Read Exodus 20:1-17; and Deut. 5:6-21. The end of the law of God is in faithful obedience to the same.