The Faith That Works
Quote; “Faith is not certainty of knowledge, it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith is trusting in God–believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our very best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.
When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His Word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says that “the devils also believe, and tremble”; but this is not faith. Where there is not only a belief in God’s Word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith–faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, “O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day long.” Psalm 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1. Faith earns nothing for us; it is the gift of God, which we may receive and cherish by making Christ our personal Saviour.
The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. In its great need the soul cries out for a power out of and above itself; and through the operation of the Holy Spirit the nobler powers of the mind are imbued with strength to break away from the bondage of sin. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17.
When man surrenders to Christ, the mind is brought under the control of the law, but it is the royal law, which proclaims liberty to every captive. Only by becoming one with Christ can men be made free. Subjection to the will of Christ means restoration to perfect manhood. Sin can triumph only by destroying the liberty of the soul, by people becoming a slave to sin.
Do you realize your sinfulness? Do you despise sin? Then remember that the righteousness of Christ is yours if you will grasp it. Can you not see what a strong foundation is placed beneath your feet when you accept Christ? God has accepted the offering of His Son as a complete atonement for the sins of the world.
True faith, which relies wholly upon Christ, will be manifested by obedience to all the requirements of God. In all ages there have been those who claimed a right to the favour of God even while they were disregarding some of His commands. But the Scriptures declare that by works is “faith made perfect”; and that, without the works of obedience, faith “is dead.”
Satan believes and trembles. He works. He knows his time is short, and he has come down in great power to do his evil works according to his faith. But God’s professed people do not support their faith by their works. They believe in the shortness of time, yet grasp just as eagerly after this world’s goods as though the world were to stand a thousand years as it now is. Do you believe that the end of all things is at hand, that the scenes of this earth’s history are fast closing? If so, show your faith by your works. Thus a man will show all the faith that he has. {FLB 90-91}
Back to a great thought in the Quote; “Thus, instead of our own way, it [our Faith] leads us to choose His [God’s] way. In place of our ignorance, it [our new Faith] accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.” We must always remember that; “faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.”
We all know what “The Wages of Sin” is, and what “The Gift of God in Christ Jesus” is, but we all struggle to turn our thoughts into actions. Paul had this same battle, Romans 7:19-25 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Solution; “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Do you want “Faith that Works?” Then repentance and re-surrender will bring you back into Jesus Christ, and under the tutoring power of the Holy Spirit, “Victory in Jesus.”
