The Effect of True Faith.
By J. Hart
"HAVING therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor. vii, 1." What promises are referred to here by the Apostle? The promise in the previous chapter, [verses 17, 18,] that God will receive us, and be a Father to us, on condition that we will come out from the world, and be separate from the same, and in no way be yoked together with unbelievers. The testimony of 1 John ii, 16, is, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Verse 17 testifies that the world is to pass away, and the lusts thereof; but he that doeth the will of the Father is to abide for ever. Then if we would abide for ever, the lust of the eyes, and all lusts of the flesh must be brought into subjection to the will of God. The time has come for us to search the scriptures (in the fullest sense of the word) with a prayerful mind, and a heart submissive to the will of God. The testimony of the Apostle in 1 Cor. x, 31, must be heeded: "Whether ye eat or drink, whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." If there ever was a time when we should give heed to such testimony as this, it is now when Jesus is calling on us to be zealous. Let us, dear brethren, turn over the sacred pages of that Word which we profess to take as a rule of life, and compare ourselves with it, and if they do not correspond, let us be swift to turn our feet into the path that is therein pointed out. The Apostle teaches us that, seeing that we look for such things, (the coming of the Lord,) we should be without spot and blameless. We learn by like testimonies that it must be a holy life that will characterize us and number us with the saved in the day when Christ shall come. Let us no longer say that we ought to do this or that; for the time has come that the Spirit is testifying to all who have an ear to hear, to be zealous and repent. What shall I repent of? That which the word of God teaches to be sin. If it is a worldly spirit, repent of that. If idle conversation, that. If lack of sacrifice, if indulging the appetite, whether in food or drink, repent of these. True repentance is a change of purpose. Let us here remember the testimony of the Apostle, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God, whether it is to eat or drink." One might inquire, Does the Lord notice the eating and drinking of his people? He does, or he never would have spoken of it in his word. I would here mention the use of tobacco. Is there any way that God can be glorified in its use by his people? Some may answer, Yes: it is for my health: I should be sick if it were not for it. We have already said that the time has come for us to more fully take the word of God as a rule of faith. There we are clearly pointed to the great Physician. Then you inquire, Will God be glorified in my going to him for health? We think that we are warranted in saying that he will; for he gave his apostles power over all manner of sicknesses, and testifies, Lo I am with you to the end of the world. Brethren and sisters, it is a great lack of faith that keeps us from so many of the blessings of God. The church is shorn of its strength. Unbelief stands in the place of faith. Works corresponding with our faith are scarcely to be found; and being in this condition, the True Witness calls upon us to buy of him gold tried in the fire. Shall we heed this call and let our works correspond with our faith? That will give us confidence when we come into his presence. Then faith will spring up. Then we shall be prepared to claim the promises of God. Then if a brother or sister is sick they will be prepared to take hold of the promises of God, instead of going to the filthy plant of tobacco for a cure. Again I say the time has come to launch out upon the promises of God. Be not faithless, but believing. Let us no longer act the part of hypocrites, by our works' denying our faith; but with faith and corresponding works move out into the service of God. Remember it is the dragon that makes war with those that keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. We shall not be troubled much with that war-like spirit until we are keeping the testimony above given. Brethren, we are at a distance at present from the commands of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Let us not therefore look for the oppressive acts of the two-horned, but for the spirit and power of the present truth, which will as surely bring it about as the testimony is true that they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Seeing we have so many precious promises of God, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us. Let us give, by our works, a chance for faith to act. Faith must have a foundation to stand upon, or it never will be genuine.