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H. M. KELLEY

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 55.

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H. M. KELLEY

By H. M. Kelley

The Faith of Jesus — No. 3

H. M. KELLEY

Jesus once likened faith to a grain of mustard seed, and in the parable showed the possibilities that might be accomplished by it. The language is: “Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” Mark 4:30. The seed of faith is sown in every heart, and if properly cultivated will bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
In the parable of the sower the Saviour said: “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in the heart.” Matt. 13:19. The seed may be good, the sower faithful, but if the heart is unsusceptible to the seed no fruit will appear. The germ of life is in the seed, but something in the heart may hinder its germination. Unbelief on the part of the hearer makes the gospel profitless to him. Paul said that those sinners who died in the wilderness, heard the gospel preached, “but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb. 4:2.
Unbelief is responsible for the misunderstanding of God’s word, but faith enables us to understand and appreciateit. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.” Heb. 11:3. When we do not believe this declaration of God’s Word, the “wicked one” is permitted to “catch away that which was sown” in the heart. Unbelief is a foreign substance placed in the heart by the “wicked one” to counteract the word of God. It poisons the heart and defiles the soul. Faith is an antidote administered by the Lord to counteract unbelief and sin. Therefore, “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” 2 Cor. 6:14, 15. There is just as much difference between unbelief and faith as there is between light and darkness; and it is just as possible to unite light with darkness as it is to unite unbelief with faith. As unbelief enters the heart, faith goes out; and as faith enters the heart, unbelief goes out, just as light dispels darkness. When we strengthen one, we weaken the other. As a room is lightened in proportion to the strength of the candle, so our souls are enlightened in proportion to the amount of faith we let come into our hearts.

Danger in Cultivating Unbelief

“Those who talk faith and cultivate faith will have faith; but those who cherish and express doubts will have doubts.”—“Testimonies for the Church, Vol. V, page 302. “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. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Rom. 14:23.
“While God has given ample evidence for faith, he will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God’s Word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light.
“Distrust of God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart, which is at enmity with him. But faith is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it will flourish only as it is cherished. No man can become strong in faith without a determined effort. Unbelief strengthens as it is encouraged; and if men, instead of dwelling upon the evidences which God has given to sustain their faith, will permit themselves to question and cavil, they will find their doubts constantly becoming more confirmed.
“But those who doubt God’s promises and distrust the assurance of his grace are dishonoring him; and their influence, instead of drawing others to Christ, tends to repel them from him. They are unproductive trees, that spread their dark branches far and wide, shutting away the sunlight from other plants, and causing them to droop and die under the chilling shadow. The life work of these persons will appear as a never-ceasing witness against them. They are sowing seeds of doubt and skepticism that will yield an unfailing harvest.
“There is but one course for those to pursue who honestly desire to be freed from doubts. Instead of questioning and caviling concerning that which they do not understand, let them give heed to the light which already shines upon them, and they will receive greater light. Let them do every duty which has been made plain to their understanding, and they will be enabled to understand and perform those of which they are now in doubt.”—“Great Controversy, pages. 527, 528.
Herrin, Ill.