FAITH by C. P. B.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 16.

FAITH.

By C. P. B.

FAITH is the first essential to the Christian life, for without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. 11:6. But faith means far more than simple belief upon evidence; it means a settled conviction that purifies the heart, moulds the life, and incites its possessor to acts of righteousness. It is, however, not the end of the Christian life, but that which makes such a life possible, and it is valuable only for its results.

One man may believe every fact stated in the New Testament concerning Christ, just as he believes any other matter of history, and yet if his belief has no effect upon his life, he is in no better case than the man who believes not one word of the Scriptures. Though such a man may believe, he has no faith, or he has at most a dead faith, for we are told by the inspired word that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead." But faith must accompany, or rather precede, works if they are to be acceptable to God; indeed, throughout the Scriptures faith and works are always and everywhere coupled together, except in the matter of justification for past transgressions; that is an act of divine grace, and is received by simple faith without works (Rom. 3:28); but from that point forward the Christian will show his faith by his works.

But while faith is a settled conviction that governs the life, not every such conviction is entitled to be called faith. Bible "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17), therefore, that only is faith which has for its foundation a statement, or promise, of the word of God.

C. P. B.