p. 146 | FAITH by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 8, 1877

FAITH

By Jos. Clarke

We appreciate the worth of a thing when we have tested its good qualities and proved its excellence. No doubt Paul had tested and proved the Christian faith in many trying situations. When in prison or before heathen courts, when enduring the pains of the cruel lash or in perils and dangers, he had found this faith to be to him better than the favor of the world, better than all its gifts, and all its wealth, and all its boasted pleasures and honors.

Not less does every sincere Christian value this excellent grace. We are not, in this highly favored age of the world, called to suffer the trials that Paul and his brethren endured, but we are where we may test the value of living faith. When we find our feeble strength insufficient to conquer the arch-foe, who is determined on our destruction; when we find our great need of help in overcoming our own weaknesses and besetments, then, realizing our dependence upon God, we fly to him in humble faith, and victory is freely granted us. We lean upon the Almighty Arm, and joy and peace fill our days with hope, and the sunshine of Heaven lights up our hearts: then it is that we prize the faith of God's elect.

Faith is the element which, running like the vital current through the whole Christian life, gives vitality, and life, and vigor, and beauty, and strength, and power, to all the virtues. It is by faith we discern the connection of each virtue with its kindred virtues; and by faith we understand the connection the word of God shows to us as existing between faith and works, both acting at once, and in harmony.

To make our faith a living faith, we must act. Action is life. Our daily acts constitute our works, and these works, to be accepted, must spring from faith and be finished in faith—faith in God, who is the rewarder of those who serve him. You believe in God, therefore you love and obey him, and for this reason you risk all you have in his cause: this is faith. If you cannot trust him, and are still preferring the promises of the world to the promises of God, this is not faith, it is unbelief.

Many have a little faith, so little that it is continually in a dying condition. To give life to faith, add works; and to give spiritual beauty to works, add faith. Beware of letting either of these virtues go alone; for they will surely become crippled and palsied if they do not travel in company. Many a rich man would gain an infinite reward by devoting his thousands to the cause of God; but he cannot quite trust God, and so God cannot trust him with faith; for he would use it for selfish purposes. Many profess to believe the Lord is soon coming, yet their greediness for worldly gain goes to show that they would rather doubt this, and look forward to many years of happiness and competence in this life. These also have but little true faith.

To increase our faith, and make it strong, we must keep it in exercise. Many a weak Christian might be made strong by work in the cause of God, and risking his present interests for its prosperity. Many a rich professor of religion might become a living, faithful Christian by giving of his worldly goods to enrich the cause of God, and to save his fellow-men; for as long as he possesses his wealth, he will trust in it, and lean upon it instead of leaning upon God.

We may also increase and strengthen our faith by looking forward to the prize, and by a faithful discharge of the daily, weekly, and life-long duties which devolve upon us. To study out all these duties is our constant work, and to perform them our daily labor and highest enjoyment; for with those whose minds are trained to such tasks as these, peace, and joy, and holy love take up a permanent abode.

Jos. CLARKE.