The Signs of the Times
November 14, 1906
Trusting God
If we commit the keeping of our souls to God in the exercise of living faith, His promises will not fail us; for they have no limit but our faith. “All things are possible to him that believeth.” We may make or mar our own happiness. Many pet and excuse the defects in their characters; but these must all be remedied. Every deviation from the right is sin, and sin must be put away. We can not afford to walk carelessly before our brethren or before the world. ST November 14, 1906, par. 1
Many confess their sins again and again, but do not put them away by genuine repentance. Unless we have a firm purpose and the aid of the grace of God, strong resolutions and vigilant watchfulness will be vain and powerless when temptations assail the soul; and under such circumstances some give up in despair, fearing that they must ever remain slaves of sin. These have not a living faith in Jesus. We can not trust in ourselves; if we do, we shall fail. Jesus has spoiled the powers of darkness; and it is through faith in His might that we shall be made strong. He will lift up a standard against Satan in behalf of every trusting, believing soul. We have the assurance that His grace is sufficient for us, and that we shall not be tempted above that we are able to bear. This is our only hope. ST November 14, 1906, par. 2
The apostle says, “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Christian church at Pentecost, great wisdom and grace rested upon the whole body of believers. This blessing was given in answer to earnest, persevering prayer; and today God is just as willing to listen to the petitions of His people. “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” ST November 14, 1906, par. 3
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” When these fruits appear in the life, a telling influence will be exerted upon the world. The truly converted man will cease aspiring to be thought great. He will not seek for worldly honor, nor for luxury, ease, or wealth; neither will he be sensitive to reproach or neglect. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Self is no longer the supreme object of love; family and friends are no longer the boundary. His heart is enlarged. Jesus has the first place in his affections; he loves Christians, because he sees in them the image of his Master, and all mankind with a love that prompts him to do them good. This is the fruit growing on the true Vine, more precious in the sight of God than all the wealth and learning of earth's great men. ST November 14, 1906, par. 4
The unparalleled exhibition of love that was made on Calvary shows how God estimates souls. If we have this love in our hearts, we shall seek to win sinners to Jesus, that for them this great sacrifice may not have been made in vain. The language of the heart will be, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul.” We shall say with the psalmist, “I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth from the great congregation.” We shall rejoice to speak of the wisdom and goodness of God as shown in the way He has led His people; for we shall have proved that “the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” ST November 14, 1906, par. 5