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THE FAITH OF JESUS

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Publishing Committee · ROCHESTER, N. Y. · Feb 28, 1854

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 5, No. 6.

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THE FAITH OF JESUS.

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. xiv, 12.
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Chap. xii, 17.
The chronological application of these texts is not hard to be understood. The first is a part of the saying of the third angel, which is the last message offering mercy, given just before the Son of man takes his place on the “white cloud” with a “sharp sickle” to reap the harvest of the earth. The other text applies to the “remnant.” A remnant, literally, is a small portion, and the last end. The “remnant which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ,” is, therefore, Christ’s “little flock,” the last end of the church, who shall witness the coming of the Son of man in all his glory. Both texts apply to the same period of time.
What is the faith of Jesus? Before answering this question, we will briefly notice an erroneous view of this subject: that the faith of Jesus is the faith that Jesus exercised to heal the sick, &c. Now we know of no scriptural testimony that Jesus wrought miracles by the power of faith. He was in possession of power to forgive sins and work miracles without exercising faith in another. He gave power to his chosen over unclean spirits and they were subject to them through the name of Jesus, and in his name they healed the sick; but Jesus, in his own name, and by his own power, raised the dead, cast out devils and healed the sick. We would fully receive all the testimony of Jesus and his apostles touching the prayer of faith for the sick; but we do reject the above named fanatical error.
But what is the faith of Jesus? Let us notice two important facts which will assist in the correct answer to this question:—First, a distinction is here made between the commandments of God, the Father, and the faith of Jesus, the Son:—Second, both are to be kept; as though the text read, Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and that keep the faith of Jesus. Says the Apostle, “I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. iv, 7. With these facts before us, we conclude that the faith of Jesus is the gospel system, embracing all the requirements spoken by Jesus in person, and those written by his inspired apostles.
This view of the subject sets before the church their duty as the children of God, and the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is to keep the commandments of the Father, and the faith of his Son Jesus Christ; and it exposes the popular heresy that the faith of Jesus abolished the commandments of God. One is not opposed to the other, but they go hand in hand in the gospel arrangement. The Jew may outwardly observe the ten commandments, and yet be lost without the faith of Jesus. The professed Christian may also boast of his faith in Jesus while trampling on the commandments of God; and both sink in perdition together.
But it is to be feared that but few Christian Sabbath-keepers yet live out the principles of the commandments of God, which are supreme love to God, and love to their neighbor, or brother, as themselves. Brother, dost thou “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind?” This is your duty, and to guard this principle, the first four commandments were given. The last six, which relate to man’s duty with his fellow-man, were given to guard the principle of equal love for a brother as for self. Matt. xxii, 37–40. If weighed in the balances of the word of God, how many would be found wanting! Pause and think!
The great and spiritual principles of love to God and man, out of which the ten commandments grow, are carried out by the faith of Jesus, which shows the ten commandments to be as changeless as the principle of love, or God himself. “God is love,” says the Beloved Disciple. And while the commandments of God in the letter, are binding, the faith of Jesus explains their spiritual import and extent, requires repentance of past transgression of the law of God, and offers pardon and life through faith in Jesus. Hence it is said, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God [in the letter] and the faith of Jesus.”
In our future remarks on this subject, we do not design to dwell at length upon the gospel system, and enter into all points connected with the faith of Jesus; but we wish to call the attention of the “remnant,” particularly to that portion of the testimony of Jesus Christ which relates to the present duty of the disciples of Christ.
(To be Continued.)