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    LESSON XXXVIII. Faith a Duty

    Questions to Lesson 38*What do we begin to consider in this lesson? What is the great question for the sinner? How did Paul answer it? What said Jesus, when he sent his disciples to preach? Is the kingdom promised on condition of faith and baptism merely? What else must Christians do? From what is the obedient believer saved? What is the first requirement of the gospel? Is faith a duty? What is the foundation of faith? What is one reason why good testimony does not produce faith in all? What does stubbornness always require? What contains sufficient evidence for our faith?

    We pass by much that would be deeply interesting in the life, the teachings, the death, the resurrection and the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may consider the duties required of us by the gospel. The question of most thrilling interest to the sinner, is, What must I do to be saved? When Paul and Silas were asked this question, they replied, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved. Acts 16:31. This was in accordance with their Lord’s instructions, when he commissioned his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Said he. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16.BIC 88.2

    What! is that all that is necessary to gain admittance into the everlasting kingdom? By no means; this is but the very commencement of the Christian race. The apostles could exhort those who had done all this, and more too, to run with patience the race set before them. Hebrews 12:1. No one obtains the prize till he gets to the end of the race.BIC 89.1

    It was said of Jesus, He shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21. The first promise to the obedient believer is forgiveness; that is salvation from his sins. But if he adds nothing to his faith, he is blind, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9.BIC 89.2

    Faith is the spring of action; it lies at the foundation of all obedience. Without it no religious duty would be done. Therefore faith is the first requirement of the gospel. Requirement do you say? Yes, we are commanded to believe.BIC 89.3

    But, does not faith rest upon the amount of evidence presented to the mind, and not upon our will?BIC 89.4

    Without evidence there can be no faith; but there may be an abundance of testimony given, and yet fail to produce faith, because it is not examined; and even if the evidence is pressed upon us, so that we cannot fail to see it, without shutting our eyes, the stubborn will of man can still say, We would see a sign. Matthew 12:22, 38. [Read.]BIC 89.5

    Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. That word contains sufficient evidence of the great truth, in the plan of salvation; viz., that Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour of men. If thoroughly examined with a willing mind, it cannot fail to produce faith. Men may willfully reject the testimony, or carelessly neglect to examine it; yet the word of God will ever stand justified. He that believeth not shall be condemned.BIC 90.1

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