An Appeal to Our Ministers and Conference Committees

The Work of Faith

We are to be diligent workers. An idle man is one of the most miserable of God's creatures. And to be idle in the great work which Christ gave his life to accomplish, is the worst kind of idleness. Our spiritual faculties will die without exercise. Satan is never idle in seeking our destruction. All heaven is actively engaged in preparing a people for the second coming of Christ to our world. “We are laborers together with God.” The end of all things is at hand, and we must work while it is day, for the night cometh, in which no man can work. SpTA01b 34.1

Our interests and powers are to be enlisted in the work of proclaiming Christ and him crucified, preparing the way for his second appearing. Lift him up, the Man of Calvary. Place yourselves in the divine current, where you can receive the heavenly inspiration, for you may have it; then point the weary, the heavy-laden, the poor, the broken-hearted, perplexed soul to Jesus, the Source of all spiritual strength. Be faithful minute-men to show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Tell it with pen and voice, that Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Time is passing; the end is near. We must work while it is day. You can unite with the great Master-Worker; we can follow the self-denying Redeemer through his pilgrimage of matchless love on earth. Jesus came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He died to exalt the law of God, testifying of its changeless character; and as we proclaim God's law, we may look unto Jesus, and be comforted with the assurance, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” The same Jesus that walked with his disciples, that taught them upon earth, that toiled and suffered in his human nature, is with us in his divine power. He is at our right hand to help us in every emergency. Let us lift up Jesus, and reveal the Bible foundation for our faith. SpTA01b 34.2

There has been among the believers, dissension, unbelief, and jealousy, and on the part of some, a firm resistance of light from heaven. I have been shown that those who have resisted light will never see clearly again, unless they humble their hearts before God, and confess their backslidings, their prejudice, their hatred of the light which God has sent, which, if accepted, would make them wise unto salvation. Formality, worldly wisdom, worldly caution, worldly policy, will appear to many to be the very power of God, but when accepted, it stands as an obstacle to prevent God's light, in warnings, reproof, and counsel, from coming to the world. SpTA01b 35.1

Satan is now working with all his insinuating, deceiving power, to lead men away from the work of the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with mighty power. If Satan sees that the Lord is blessing his people and preparing them to discern his delusions, he will work with his masterly power to bring in fanaticism on the one hand, and cold formalism on the other, that he may gather in a harvest of souls. Now is our time to watch unceasingly. Watch, bar the way against the least step of advance that Satan may make among us. SpTA01b 35.2

There are dangers to be guarded against on the right hand and on the left. There will be inexperienced ones, newly come to the faith, who need to be strengthened, and to have a correct example set before them. Some will not make a right use of the doctrine of justification by faith. They will present it in a one-sided manner. Others will seize the ideas that have not been correctly presented, and will go clear over the mark, ignoring works altogether. Now, genuine faith always works by love. It supplies a motive power. Faith is not an opiate, but a stimulant. When you look to Calvary, it is not to quiet your soul in the non-performance of duty, not to compose yourself for sleep, but to create faith in Jesus, faith that will work, and purify the soul from all the slime of selfishness. When we lay hold of Christ by faith, our work has but just begun. Every one has corrupt and sinful habits, that must be overcome through vigorous warfare. Every soul must fight the fight of faith. If he is a follower of Christ, he cannot be sharp in deal, he cannot be hard-hearted, devoid of sympathy; he cannot be coarse in speech; he cannot be a surmiser of evil, an accuser of the brethren; he cannot be full of pomposity and self-esteem; he cannot be overbearing, nor can he use harsh words, and censure and condemn. SpTA01b 36.1

The labor of love springs from the work of faith. Bible religion means constant work. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” We are to be “zealous of good works;” “be careful to maintain good works.” And the True Witness says, “I know thy works.” While it is true that our busy activities will not in themselves insure salvation, it is also true that faith which unites us to Christ will stir the soul to activity. SpTA01b 36.2

Those who have no time to give attention to their own souls, to examine themselves daily whether they be in the love of God, and to place themselves in the channel of light, will have time to give to the suggestions of Satan and the working out of his plans. Satan will insinuate himself by little wedges, that widen as they make a place for themselves. There will be a gradual adoption of worldly policy. The specious devices of Satan will be brought into the special work of God at this time. SpTA01b 37.1

Ellen G. White