H. M. KELLEY by H. M. KELLEY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1914

H. M. KELLEY

By H. M. KELLEY

The Faith of Jesus—No. 2

H. M. KELLEY

“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.” Heb. 11: 6. Without faith in the heart it is impossible to please God, for under such conditions there is nothing within man to respond to the Spirit of God. As soil over quicksand is profitless and dangerous, so a man without faith is hopeless.

But “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Rom. 12: 3. There has been given to every one a degree of faith which, if properly cultivated, will produce the peaceful fruits of the Spirit. “Faith that enables us to receive God’s gifts is itself a gift, of which some measure is imparted to every human being.”—“Education,” page 253.

“Faith is trusting God,—believing that he loves us, and knows best what is for our good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us to choose his way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts his wisdom; in place of our weakness, his strength; in place of our sinfulness, his righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already his; faith acknowledges his ownership and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, have been pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these principles.”—Ib.

“Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Eph. 4: 7. The measure of faith that God has dealt to every one of us is “according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” What a blessed assurance! Even as Christ was endowed with power to overcome Satan through faith, so we through faith in his name may overcome.

The Eyes of the Soul

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1: 6-9.

“Christ is the ‘Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ As through Christ every human being has life, so also through him every soul receives some ray of divine light. Not only intellectual but spiritual power, a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart. But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power.”—Id., page 29.

Light is the power of illumination. It reveals to us that which we otherwise could not see. The beauty of the natural world is brought to us through rays of light. The attractiveness of what we behold depends upon the degree of light within the range of our vision. Anything that will dispel darkness and reveal that which we otherwise could not see, is light. Prophecy is regarded as a revelation of the future, and of it Peter said, “Ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” Some people read the prophecies but do not understand them, and consequently do not know what will take place in the future. Prophecy is not a revelation to them, because they do not “take heed,” or rather do not believe.

The man who does not believe the prophecies relating to Christ’s second coming will not prepare for that event; but in him who believes, faith is active and moves him to prepare for that which he has not seen naturally but which has been revealed to him by faith. Prophecy contains the information necessary to make one wise concerning certain future events; but it is the light of heaven that reveals them, and this light shines through the lens of faith.

In a strictly Biblical sense faith and light are synonymous. When John spoke of the “Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” it was another way of saying, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Jesus is the “Sun of Righteousness,” and it was he of whom John spoke as being the “true Light.” Anything that does not emanate from Christ is not light, for he is the source of all light.

“Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” He was promised an eternal city. In his pilgrimage he did not have a permanent home, but faith brought the heavenly prospect so near that he could, as it were, enjoy the pleasure it afforded. Herrin, Ill.