The Test of Faith by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 10, 1910

The Test of Faith

By F. M. W.

The test of faith in God and his truth is found in obedience. The highest test of faith is not found in obedience to those principles of truth which do not particularly condemn our course, or cut across our desires. It is comparatively easy to harmonize with instruction which, while it may strike against the doings of another, does not particularly condemn our conduct. It is quite another thing, however, when obedience on our part costs the sacrifice of our plans and purposes. For faith does not always adapt itself to the logic of human reasoning. This is when we really demonstrate the genuineness of our confidence.

It is upon these points that many will fall in the times before us. Hence, the question is practically pertinent. Do we believe the instruction of the Lord, not as applied to our brother, or some situation with which we are not connected, but as applied to ourselves and our ways, even when the instruction stands diametrically opposed to our own natural feelings and preconceived opinions?

It is comparatively easy to believe the instruction which has come to this people through the spirit of prophecy when no personal interests are involved; but the vital question is, Do we believe that instruction when it does involve unfavorably our own cherished ideas? Shall I use this instruction to point out another’s faults, but ignore it when it points out mine? Shall I stand as a professed believer in spiritual gifts as manifested in the church, when I find messages of encouragement and counsel to assist me in hours of darkness, and shall I ignore the messages from the same quarter which come to me by way of reproof and correction? The inclination of the human heart is to do this.

Surely, such a faith as this is far from consistent. And when I pursue this course, I am guilty of the same thing with which I am naturally inclined to charge my fellows, of making the acceptance of this gift in the church a matter of mere caprice and human judgment. If I feel that my brother, who is in darkness and can not see whither his steps are tending, should, when his errors are pointed out, subordinate his own views to the instruction given, I should be sufficiently self-distrustful, and conscious of my own weaknesses, to consider that I face the same danger in my own experience.

Let each for himself study to apply to his own life the principles of truth. There is too much of a tendency to study the Bible and the Testimonies to determine our brother’s duty instead of our own. When we do this, there is danger always that we will read into such instruction our own conception of what our brother should do. Thus we place upon the instruction our own selfish interpretation, and say, “The Lord saith,” when the Lord has not said. Let us make no test for others to which we ourselves are unwilling to submit. We may be brought over the same ground of test in our experience which we have prescribed for our fellows. We should judge ourselves more severely, and our brother more leniently. Let us walk humbly before God, seeking his leadings, and carefully living as his counsel shall direct. “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

F. M. W.