Faith vs. Presumption by C. P. Bollman

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 24, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 28.

Faith vs. Presumption.

By C. P. Bollman

SCRIPTURAL faith is a firm belief or confidence in the declarations and promises of God, and is defined by the apostle Paul in these words: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That is, faith grasps as real those things which are not seen, and finds in the sure promises of God a substance, a reality. For inasmuch as it is impossible for God to lie, those things which he has promised are as verily accomplished facts as though they had already taken place.

Faith looks at the past and believes "that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." It grasps the future, and, like the "Father of the Faithful," takes God at his word. "Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

Faith renders to God unquestioning obedience; and like Saul, when he was stricken down on his way to Damascus, asks, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" In unbelief he was Saul, the cruel persecutor of God's people; but in faith, he was Paul, the self-denying apostle to the Gentiles—"In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness," glorying only in the cross, and counting all things but dross that he might win Christ and be found in him.

The testimony of inspiration is, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10:17. So, then, that only is faith which has for its foundation the word of God. That which is built upon desire, or that which we believe because we would love to have it so, is not faith but presumption. It leads not to obedience, but to rebellion, and substitutes for the commandments of God the traditions of men. It is not like faith associated with charity (love), and consequently the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) are not developed through its influence.

The promises of God are conditional; and while faith humbly complies with the conditions, in the strength which the Spirit gives, claiming the blessings, not of merit but of grace, presumption sets at naught the divine requirements, neglects the ordinances which the Lord has commanded, and claims benefits and blessings which have not been promised.

God has promised salvation on condition of faith, repentance, and baptism, to be followed by growth in grace, and in the "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 2 Pet. 1:5-9. He who possesses true faith, turns away from sin, follows his Lord in baptism, and strives "to walk even as he walked." 1 John 2:6. But Peter (2 Pet. 2:10) speaks of a class who, while professing faith, were not in harmony with the truth; these were "presumptuous," "self-willed," and spoke evil of things which they did not understand. Verse 12. Such persons, while righteous in their own eyes, and boasting of their own spiritual attainments, compromise with Satan, cherish secret sins, neglect baptism, or substitute for it a man-made ordinance, and refuse obedience to the law of God. Thus they show that their love for him is feigned; for those who love God will keep his commandments. 1 John 5:3.

Presumption leads the skeptic to reject the word of God; it causes the moralist to hope for salvation upon his own merit; and deludes the false professor with the thought that church membership will save him; and, in short, deceives all who are not rooted and grounded by true faith upon the Rock of Ages.

The psalmist prayed: "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." This prayer was uttered in view of the perfection of God's law (Ps. 19:7-13); and every truly Christian heart will not only adopt this sentiment, but will also put forth the petition: "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight."

C. P. BOLLMAN.