June 1, 1915

The Work of Faith

EGW

The work of faith means more than we think. It means genuine reliance upon the naked word of God. By our actions we are to show that we believe that God will do just as He has said. The wheels of nature and of providence are not appointed to roll backward nor to stand still. We must have an advancing, working faith, a faith that works by love and purifies the soul from every vestige of selfishness. It is not self, but God, that we must depend upon. We must not cherish unbelief. We must have that faith that takes God at His word.BTS June 1, 1915, par. 1

“The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” We need to experience a resurrection on the subject of faith. Without faith (a faith that will rely upon a plain statement of the word) it is impossible to please God. A faith that is not sustained by works is worthless. Says the apostle, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say, thou hast faith, and have not works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” That faith if cherished in our hearts will necessarily draw after it the good works which justify and endorse the faith of the believer. Good works are indispensable as the fruit of faith, and are the sure evidence that we have passed from death unto life, because we love our believing brethren. This is not to say that our brethren are to step exactly in our footprints. True faith in God will lead us to understand that each is a worker. God works upon human minds, and all who love God will love their brethren. They will be zealous of good works.BTS June 1, 1915, par. 2

True faith consists in doing just what God has enjoined, not manufacturing things He has not enjoined. Justice, truth, and mercy, are the fruits of faith. We need to walk in the light of God's law: then good works will be the fruit of our faith, the proceeds of a heart renewed every day. The tree must be made good before the fruit can be good. We must be wholly consecrated to God. Our will must be made right before the fruit can be good. We must have no fitful religion. “Whatsoever ye do.... do all to the glory of God.”BTS June 1, 1915, par. 3

Sanctification of soul, body, and spirit will surround us with the atmosphere of heaven. If God has chosen us from eternity, it is that we might be holy, our conscience purged from dead works to serve the living God. We must not in any way make self our god. God has given Himself to die for us, that He might purify us from all iniquity. The Lord will carry on this work of perfection for us if we will allow ourselves to be controlled by Him. He carries on this work for our good and His own name's glory.BTS June 1, 1915, par. 4