p. 16 | What Is Faith?

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 26, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 38.

What Is Faith?

Faith is not mere belief, or assent to a truth. We may believe and do nothing. We may believe and be condemned and die. “The demons believe and tremble.” Faith is more than this. It not only believes God’s word, but it receives that word, and receives it as God’s word. The word of man received as the word of man will bring us no more strength or wisdom than man possesses. The word of God received as the word of man will benefit us no more than man’s word. God’s word must be received as the word of God, and then it will work in us effectually to accomplish all that is expressed or implied in the word; and that is faith to receive God’s word, gladly, willingly. Is it a promise?—we submit to all its provisions, we gladly accept what it vouchsafes, and the power of God in the word makes performance of the promise. Is it a command?—The will submits to do what is commanded, gladly, cheerfully, and the power in the word enables us to perform the duty enjoined. But receiving the word is receiving Christ, the Incarnate Word, in the word; and “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1: 12, 13. Faith is, therefore, the receiving of God’s word as God’s word, submitting willingly to all its requirements, conditions, provisions. It is choosing Christ in that word in preference to all things else.