p. 90 | ACTIVE FAITH by G. F. Richmond

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 13, 1877

ACTIVE FAITH.

By G. F. Richmond

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17.

THERE is no healthy increase of faith without works. Through faith, grace is given to every one, by which all are enabled to comply with God’s requirements. Said Jesus to his disciples, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22. Without it we cannot please God. Heb. 11:6.

When we first start out in the service of the Lord, our faith, although the groundwork of our actions, is nevertheless quite limited; but as we follow in the path of obedience, and calmly and decidedly meet all the common trials of life, our faith will have a steady, even growth. It will be like the oak upon the mountain-side, which extends its branches broader and higher, adding strength and beauty from year to year, while at every blast its roots take a firmer, deeper hold. It defies alike the storms of winter and the droughts of summer. Thus it is with the child of God. By enduring trials, we grow strong, so that trifles will not move us from duty’s path.

When Paul was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, the Lord revealed to him how great things he must suffer for his name. Acts 9:16. He stood the test, and as he was about to lay off his armor, we hear him saying, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.” 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. In 2 Cor. 11:23–28, we have a summary of his trials, but notwithstanding all, on he went from place to place and city to city, assured of the fact that bonds and imprisonments awaited him. He had faith in the work in which he was engaged, and when through the weakness of the flesh it seemed as though the billows would sweep over his head, he could rejoice, knowing it was his privilege to unite his weakness with the strength of Him who sustains the universe. Paul was a strong man in the Lord, and stood amid the contending elements of his day like the oak of the mountain. His faith grew stronger by every adverse wind, and took deeper root as he saw the power of divine truth upon the human heart.

Shall not we, dear reader, take a fresh draught at the great fountain whence freely flows the pure principles of faith and love, and then go forth not counting our lives dear unto ourselves, that we may win souls to Christ? Let us go out by faith, having confidence that the truths we profess to believe are the truths by which the world is to be warned and tested, truths by which we are to be sanctified, and made meet to be partakers with the saints in glory. Says James, “Faith without works is dead.” A dead faith will never accomplish anything. We must have a living, abiding faith in God and the work he has assigned us, in order to arouse people to a sense of the coming Judgment. I believe the Lord would have us risk something in his service.

Are you fearful, my brother, if you leave your family to go out to gather souls into the heavenly garner that they will come to want? Can you not trust them in the hands of so kind a Father? Are not his promises ample? Then why not go at once? Why endure the reprovings of conscience for neglecting duty? Satan is ever ready to suggest that you had not better be in a hurry, but wait until you can see your way clear. Be not deceived by such suggestions; they are as deceptive as the mirage of the desert. Such will find out when too late that the golden moment is past, their service is not needed, the world has been warned, probation’s hour is no more. Oh! what a mistake! But there are many that will make just this mistake. Let us work while the day lasts; for the night cometh wherein no man can work.

G. F. Richmond.