The Test of Faith by Francis McLellan Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 25, 1909

The Test of Faith

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

God has but one way of saving man, and that is through the grace and merit of the Lord Jesus Christ. Man on his part must comply with one condition, and that is the exercise of saving faith in Christ as his Saviour. But saving faith in Christ is something more than mental assent to the fact that he died and arose again. It is more than a sentiment expressed in words, or tears, or songs of praise. There is much that passes for religion which is nothing but sentimentalism, affecting the emotions only, and not the deep purposes of the heart and life.

Man can not possess living faith in a passive, abstract form. Faith follows the channels of concrete expression. The highest test of love to God is obedience, and the only true exercise of faith will be manifested in works. The apostle James says: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” The redeemed will be saved by their faith, but they will be judged by their works, as the true and genuine expression of the faith they possess.

Among the tests of love and the proofs of faith which the Word of God imposes, two particularly stand forth as safeguards against man’s natural selfishness and covetousness. One relates to the dedication of a portion of time to God, and the other a dedication of a portion of the income. Every week the Lord asks that his children cease from their personal pursuits and labors, lay aside their plans, and devote to his service the seventh day. This affords expression for their joyful love and willing obedience.

He asks likewise that of the means entrusted to man’s use, he shall count one tenth of his income as belonging to his Creator. He who recognizes the goodness of God in the health and strength given for labor, and the power possessed to earn and accumulate means, will return to God his own as an expression of grateful thankfulness. A sense of duty will not prompt the service. It will be counted a blessed privilege, a channel by which his love may be manifested.

And this service will not be rendered after every other claim has been satisfied; but as a debt of love and gratitude to a kind Benefactor, it will come first of all obligations. Rendering to God his own in tithes and offerings is a test of discipleship. It is an evidence of consecration. Let no man deceive himself into believing that he is truly consecrated when he is negligent in these matters. He may be honest with his fellow men, but he is not honest with God. He may pay debts incurred in his business, but the great debt of honor and gratitude, due the Giver of all, he fails to discharge, and God counts him unfaithful. Mal. 3:8.

Complete consecration to God places all on the altar. It affects the pocket-book as well as the heart. It makes one honest in the dark as well as in the light. It will lead him to regard an obligation resting upon conscience and honor alone as sacred and as binding as legal obligations. His word will be as good as his bond. Consecration means the sanctification of body, soul, and spirit to the service of the Master, a surrender and subordination of every hope and plan and purpose to the divine will. When this is done, selfishness will be eliminated. The chief joy of the heart will be in learning and doing the

will of the Father. Duty will then become pleasure, and the sacrifices of time and money offerings of love upon the altar of God’s service.

May our faith find joyful expression in doing the will of the One to whom we owe the life that now is, and through whose mercy and grace we hope to achieve the life that is to come.

F. M. W.