The Faith that ObeysJesus
said: If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments (Matt
19:17). Was He talking about nine of them? Definitely not! James 2:10
says: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one
point, he is guilty of all. A
mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in Christ which
saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. Believe,
believe, they say, and you need not keep the law. But a belief that
does not lead to obedience is presumption. The apostle John says: He
that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and
the truth is not in him (1 Jn 2:4). Let none cherish the idea that
special providences or miraculous manifestations are to be the proof of
the genuiness of their work or of the ideas they advocate. When persons
speak lightly of the word of God and set their impressions, feelings, and
exercises above the divine standard, we may know that they have no light
in them. Obedience is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the
commandments that proves the sincerity of our profession of love. When the
doctrine we accept kills sin in the heart, purifies the soul from
defilement, bears fruit unto holiness, we may know that it is the truth of
God. Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing, 146. Hereby
we do know that we know Him,
if we keep His commandments (1 Jn 2:3). This is the genuine evidence of
conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ
is revealed in works of righteousness. He who becomes a partaker of the
divine nature will be in harmony with Gods great standard of
righteousness, His holy law. This is the rule by which God measures the
actions of men. This will be the test of character in the judgement. There
are many who claim that by the death of Christ the law was abrogated; but
in this they contradict Christ's own words, Think not that I am come
to destroy the law, or the prophets . . Till heaven and earth pass, one
jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law (Matt 5:17-18). Are
not religious teachers turning men away from the plain requirements of the
word of God? Instead of educating them in obedience to Gods law, are
they not educating them in transgression? From many of the pulpits of the
churches, the people are taught that the law of God is not binding upon
them. Human traditions, ordinances, and customs are exalted. Pride and
self-satisfaction are cherished because the gifts of God are fostered
while the claims of God are ignored. In
setting aside the law of God, men know not what they are doing. Gods
law in the transcript of His character. It embodies the principles of His
kingdom. He who refuses to accept these principles is placing himself
outside the channel where Gods blessing flows. The
glorious possibilities set before Israel could be realized only through
obedience to Gods commandments. The same elevation of character, the
same fullness of blessing—the blessing on mind and soul and body,
blessing on house and field, blessing for this life and for the life to
come, is possible for us only
through obedience. The
words of God to ancient Israel have a solemn warning to the church and its
leaders today. Of Israel, the Lord said, I have written to him the
great things of my law; but they were counted as a strange thing (Hosea
8:12). And to the priests and teachers He declared, My people are
destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I
will also reject thee; . . seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,
I will also forget thy children
(Hosea 4:6). Shall
the warnings from God be passed by unheeded? Shall the opportunities for
service be unimproved? Shall human customs and traditions prevail over
Gods holy commandments? Jesus said, in Mark 7:7,
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men. Will they reject Gods Word as the Jewish
leaders rejected Christ? The result of Israel's sin is before us. Will
the church of today take warning? If
some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree,
wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and
fatness of the olive tree, boast not . . Because of unbelief they were
broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for
if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not
thee (Rom 11:17-18, 20-21). FAITH ALONE It
was stated last week that Mrs. E.G. White had a whole lot of statements on
how a man is justified by faith alone. This is very true, and we would
like to bring you just a few of those statements. They speak for
themselves. 1.
Great Controversy, 472: The desire for an easy religion,
that requires no striving, no self-denial, no divorce from the follies of
the world, has made the doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular
doctrine; but what saith the word of God? Says the apostle James What
doth it profit, my brethren, though a man says he hath faith, and have not
works? Can faith save him? . . Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when
he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought
with his works, and by
works was faith made perfect? . . Ye see then how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only. The
testimony of the word of God is against this ensnaring doctrine of faith
without works. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without
complying with the conditions upon which mercy is to be granted; it is
presumption. 2.
2 Testimonies, 657: That which is eating out the vitals
of Gods people is the love of money and friendship with the world. It
is the privilege of Gods people to be bright and shining lights in the
world, to increase in the knowledge of God, and to have a clear
understanding of His will. But the cares of this life and the
deceitfulness of riches choke the seed sown in their hearts, and they bear
no fruit to his glory. They profess faith, but it is not a living faith
because it is not sustained by works. Faith without works is dead, being
alone. Those who profess great faith, yet have not works, will not be
saved by their faith. Satan believes the truth and trembles, yet this kind
of faith possesses no virtue. 3.
1 Selected Messages, 397: Those who are justified by faith
must have a heart to keep the way of the Lord. It is an evidence that a
man is not justified by faith when his works do not correspond to his
profession. James says, Seest thou how faith wrought with his works,
and by his works was his faith made perfect? (James 2:22). The
faith that does not produce good works does not justify the soul. Ye
see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only
(James 2:24). Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness (Rom 4:3). 4.
5 Testimonies, 168: No
matter how high his profession, he whose heart is not imbued with love for
God and his fellow men is not a disciple of Christ. Though he should
possess great faith, and even have power to work miracles, yet without
love his faith would be worthless. 5.
Story of Redemption, 288-289: They
should advance with the light that is given them. If God brings them in
connection with His servants who have received new truth, substantiated by
the Word of God, they should accept it with joy. Truth is onward. Truth is
upward. On the other hand, those who claim that their faith alone will
save them are trusting to a rope of sand, for faith is strengthened and
made perfect by works only. 6.
My Life Today, 96: Faith
is the first round in the ladder of advancement. Without faith it
is impossible to please God. But many stop on this round and never
ascend higher. They seem to think that when they have professed Christ,
when their names are on the church record, their work is completed. Faith
is essential; but the inspired Word says, Add to your faith virtue.
Those who are seeking for eternal life and a home in the kingdom of God
must lay for their character building the foundation of virtue. Jesus must
be the chief cornerstone. The things that defile the soul must be banished
from the mind and life. When temptations are presented, they must
be resisted in the strength of Christ. The virtue of the spotless Lamb of
God must be woven into the character till the soul can stand in its
integrity . . Joseph is an example of how the youth may stand unspotted,
amid the evil of the world, and add to their faith virtue .
Every
moment of our lives is intensely real, and charged with solemn
responsibilities. Ignorance will be no excuse for lack of spiritual
understanding and attainment; for we are exhorted to add to virtue,
knowledge . . The uncultured fishermen became men
of refinement and ability; and the lessons that they were
privileged to learn are written for our admonition and instruction. We are
invited to become learners in the school of Christ. We need to acquire all
the knowledge possible. 7.
7 Bible Commentary, 936: The apostle James saw that dangers
would arise in presenting the subject of justification by faith, and he
labored to show that genuine faith cannot exist without corresponding
works. The experience of Abraham is presented. Seest thou, he says,
how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect? Thus genuine faith does a genuine work in the believer. Faith
and obedience bring a solid, valuable experience. There
is a belief that is not a saving faith. The word declares that the devils
believe and tremble. The so-called faith that does not work by love and
purify the soul will not justify any man . . Abraham believed God. How do
we know that he believed? His works testified to the character of his
faith, and his faith was accounted to him for righteousness. We
need the faith of Abraham in our day, to enlighten the darkness that
gathers around us, shutting out the sweet sunlight of Gods love and
dwarfing spiritual growth. Our faith should be prolific of good works; for
faith without works is dead. Every duty performed, every sacrifice made in
the name of Jesus, brings exceeding
great reward. In the very act of duty, God speaks and gives His
blessing. (Signs of the Times, May 19, 1888). Further
References Desire
of Ages, 126 1
Selected Messages, 397, 139, 374, 377,
381-382, 389, 391-398 2
Selected Messages, 20 2
Testimonies, 161 4
Testimonies 250, 386 5
Testimonies 153, 226, 644 6
Testimonies 441 Testimonies
to Ministers, 92 Evangelism,
395-396 Patriarchs
and Prophets, 153, 279 Prophets and Kings, 633-634 |