Believing with the Will by J. S. WASHBURN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1907

Believing with the Will

By J. S. WASHBURN

J. S. WASHBURN

The will is the center of the man. We are not to believe, to obey, simply with the feelings. God requires the will. “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching.” John 7: 17, R. V. When a man’s will is given up to God, that man belongs to God. When the will is converted, the man is converted. We do not fully believe until we believe with the will.

If Satan tells us that we do not believe, we may answer, I will, I do believe. When tempted to yield in the fight, we may still say, I will not surrender; I will not give up. If we have made a mistake, if we have fallen into sin, and are then tempted to utter discouragement, we may say, No, I never will give up the conflict; I will win the prize.

Jesus said, “Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” A Christian without a will is worthless. He who is moved simply by the emotions of the moment is worthless in the strong, strenuous conflict which we are fighting. Many times the light is shut away entirely. Many times the enemy seems to have won a victory, and we can only say with Christ, “Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” I will persevere; I will not surrender. I will believe; I will do God’s will.

O brother, give your will to God, and let him strengthen it, and make it unconquerable. Hope against hope. Believe against every earthly evidence, because God has spoken, because he has promised, and he can not fail. He that willeth shall be led of God, shall know the teaching, shall not be deceived, shall surely prevail.

Nashville, Tenn.