FAITH by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 26, 1869

FAITH

By Jos. Clarke

IS SAID to be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. xi, 1.

Throughout the Bible, the power of faith is spoken of as the foundation of success in the Christian life. Of late this subject has been more especially considered from a Bible standpoint in the REVIEW. I have felt much benefited by these articles. I feel like girding on the armor anew. I see that when worldliness and lukewarmness take possession of the mind, then we seem to forget how to return to God. The first principles of godliness seem to fade from the mind, and we need, like children, to be led back to duty and to God.

Is it not kind in God to invite the sinner to his service? how much more those who have backslidden from him repeatedly, again and again? Does he not seem to say to us, How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim?

By degrees, we depart from God; and little by little, unbelief comes upon us, until its cruel fangs fasten themselves in us, and we sink in such a stupor as comes over the poor victim of the lion, when shaken triumphantly by this monster of the wilderness. But by the power of faith we return, and we feel that we have finally escaped the death intended for us by our terrible foe.

In our own strength, we struggle in vain; we make no headway against Satan, by the feeble efforts which we of ourselves make against him: but when we draw near to God, and feel that in him alone we can conquer, then victory is ours.

The prominence given to faith in the Bible, is not

without its significance. True, some may carry this so far as to neglect works; but this is not the effect of saving faith. Living faith always prompts to good works. Good works are always consequent upon the act of faith; for works not prompted by faith are of themselves unworthy, because the motive was impure.

The line of distinction which is drawn between works prompted by faith, and those caused by other motives, may not always be known to men; but there is an eye which always and in every case keeps up this distinction, and in the end will bring these things to light.

How important, then, to keep faith in lively exercise, thus excluding unbelief, the great sin which underlies all other sins, just as faith is the great virtue which underlies all other Christian virtues.

Is there not life in the very thought that faith is so powerful for good? Is there not warning in the thought that unbelief is so powerful for evil? Does not the consideration, that faith and unbelief occupy such important places in the mind, reduce the work before us to one of great simplicity and clearness, thus proving the importance of cultivating the one, and shunning the other?

Jos. CLARKE.