The Review and Herald
September 22, 1910
The Faith That Will Stand the Test
(Concluded.)
If we look to self, and trust in self, we shall surely fall from our steadfastness. The terrible tempest that is gathering will sweep away our sandy foundation, and leave our house a wreck on the shores of time; but the house that is built upon the rocks will stand forever. We must be “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” The apostle spoke some plain words to his Hebrew brethren, that meet the condition of many of those who profess the truth for this time. “We have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. [They were not quick to discern the things of the Spirit of God.] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” It is positively necessary for those who believe the truth to be making continual advancement, growing up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. There is no time for backsliding and indifference. Each one must have a living experience in the things of God. Have root in yourselves. Become grounded in the faith, so that, having done all, you may stand with unwavering confidence in God through the time that will try every man's work and character. Exercise your powers in spiritual things, till you can appreciate the deep things of God's Word, and go on from strength to strength. RH September 22, 1910, par. 1
There are thousands who claim to have the light of truth who take no steps in advance. They have no living experience, notwithstanding they have had every advantage. They do not know what consecration means. Their devotions are formal and hollow, and there is no depth to their piety. The Word of God offers spiritual liberty and enlightenment to those who study it earnestly. Those who accept the promises of God, and act on them with living faith, will have the light of heaven in their lives. They will drink of the fountain of life, and lead others to the waters that have refreshed their own souls. We must have that faith in God that takes him at his word. We can have no victory without cloudless confidence; for “without faith it is impossible to please him.” It is faith that connects us with the power of heaven, and that brings us the strength for coping with the powers of darkness. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” In order to exercise intelligent faith, we should study the Word of God. The Bible, and the Bible alone, communicates a correct knowledge of the character of God, and of his will concerning us. The duty and the destiny of man are defined in its pages. The conditions on which we may hope for eternal life are explicitly stated, and the doom of those who neglect so great salvation is foretold in the most forcible language. RH September 22, 1910, par. 2
Had the Bible been received as the voice of God to man, as the Book of books, as the one infallible rule of faith and practise, we should not have seen the law of Heaven made void, and the swelling tide of iniquity devouring our land. RH September 22, 1910, par. 3
As men wander away from the truth into skepticism, everything becomes uncertain and unreal. No thorough conviction takes hold of the soul. No faith is exercised in the Scripture as the revelation of God to man. There is nothing authoritative in its commands, nothing terrifying in its warnings, nothing inspiring in its promises. To the skeptic it is meaningless and contradictory. RH September 22, 1910, par. 4
There are many among us who are not cultivating faith. They have a vacillating experience. They are “like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” Sometimes they seem strong in faith; then a blast of unbelief sweeps over them, and they are filled with gloom and doubt. They make no decided effort to recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, but are taken captive by him at his will. There are others, who, when assailed by temptations of unbelief, flee to the Word of God and to earnest prayer, and they are not left to the power of the enemy. RH September 22, 1910, par. 5
If men could realize the blighting influence of doubt upon their minds, if they could but see into the future, they would realize the imperative need of cultivating firm trust in God and implicit confidence in his promises. They would not sow one grain of unbelief; for every single grain blossoms and bears fruit. Satan is a living, active agent. It is his business to encourage skepticism. Every word of doubt is carefully nourished by the adversary of souls. While men sleep in indifference, suggestions that weaken faith are insinuated into the heart. Influences that confuse the perception of truth are brought to bear upon the life. In every way possible, Satan strives to turn souls from the narrow path that leads to heaven; and because men love darkness, they follow the voice of strangers, and reject the call of the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for the sheep. The plain, authoritative “Thus saith the Lord,” is refused for some winding sophistry of errors. Infidelity has increased in proportion as men have questioned the Word and requirements of their Maker. They have taken up the work of cheapening character, and lessening faith in the inspiration of the Bible. Men claiming great wisdom have presumed to criticize and cut and cull the words of the living God, and have started questions to make shipwreck of the happiness of their fellow men and to ruin their hopes of heaven. This is a work that is pleasing to the enemy of all righteousness. The arguments that men bring against the Bible are the result of the counsels of the evil one. The door of their minds was opened to his suggestions; and the more they drifted into error, the greater grew their desire to draw other souls into the same channel of darkness. RH September 22, 1910, par. 6
Many claim to believe the Bible, and their names are enrolled on the church records, who are among the most influential agents of Satan. The work they are doing they will not consider an honor to them in the day of judgment. It will then be seen that every effort that weakened faith was made at a terrible loss. The tremendous price that must be paid will sink them into everlasting shame and ruin. The only safety is in rejecting instantly every suggestion of unbelief. Do not open your mind to entertain doubts, even for an instant; bid them a decided refusal as they come to you for admission. Fasten the mind upon the promises of God. Talk of them, rejoice in them; and the peace of God will rule in your hearts. RH September 22, 1910, par. 7
The fruits of doubt are not desirable. Look around you, and see what havoc has been wrought by the machinations of the evil one. Error and falsehood and heresy have held high carnival in the deceived hearts of men. From century to century the adversary has repeated his experiments with growing success; for in spite of the sad records of lives that have gone out in darkness, as moths flee to the fire, so men rush on into the ruinous deceptions that he has prepared to entrap them. If you desire salvation, I entreat you to shun his insinuations concerning the truth of God's Word. Come to the “sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” If that is not authoritative, what is it? If the word of the Lord of heaven and earth is not solid rock upon which to build, then it is in vain to look for sure foundations. “Heaven and earth shall pass away,” but “the word of the Lord endureth forever.” Unwavering faith in his word is the only faith that will endure through the perils of the last days. RH September 22, 1910, par. 8