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DO WE BELIEVE GOD?

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 10, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 30, No. 26.

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DO WE BELIEVE GOD?

By Alden Green

ABRAHAM believed God; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. How many of us have faith like Abraham's. We profess to believe God; but are we as willing to trust in him, and take up every required cross, as did Abraham, and the faithful ones of old? Let us read again the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Here we have a very good description of faith. It was faith, that caused Abel to offer unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. By faith Enoch was translated; for, before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Do we realize our present condition as we should? I have thought on this subject much of late, especially during the last sickness of my dear companion. It is a very easy thing to say we believe God, or we believe his word. We may think we do, and yet be much deceived; for the heart is deceitful above all things. Faith, says the apostle, is made perfect by works. I will show you my faith by my works. Faith, without works is dead, &c. I know thy works, says the faithful and true Witness. Let us carefully examine ourselves, and see whether we are really in the faith, as we profess.
God in his infinite goodness and mercy, has provided a way by which we poor, unworthy sinners, may be saved. He has placed before us exceeding great and precious promises. But they are offered only on the condition of our obedience to his will. Are we ready to obey him in all things? He requires no impossibilities, but will not accept of a lame sacrifice. He requires the whole heart, and in return will give us a whole Heaven. Do we have to bear the scoffs and frowns of the world, and pass through many sore trials and afflictions here? Remember the Lord will not willingly afflict, nor grieve the children of men. He says, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Are not these comforting words to all the lone sorrowing ones, who are willing to take God at his word, and are striving to do his will in all things? Is this the case with us? Have we separated ourselves from this evil world, as God requires? If we do this, he says, I will receive you; and ye shall be my sons and daughters. Blessed promise!
Do we believe that the second coming of the blessed Jesus, the Life-giver, is very near? Does not the apostle say, He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure? Is it not an especial duty for us now, to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh? Then let us live out the health reform, and regard it as a timely blessing from Heaven, to help fit us up to appear without fault before the throne of God. Let us remember that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. How many of us will be sanctified through the truth and be saved? Lord, help us to be in earnest; to gird on the whole armor, and fight the good fight of faith.
How sad to feel that, according to the last testimony, the greater part of those who now profess the truth, will, like Israel of old, fall, through pride, unbelief, and hardness of heart. Heaven will be cheap enough, let it cost what it will. Ours is a blessed hope. Blessed, because it is in harmony with the word of God, and founded in truth.
Gilsum, N. H.                                 ALDEN GREEN.