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The Faith God Accepts, August 11
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
dead also.
James 2:26
.
There are many in the Christian world who claim that all that is nec-
essary to salvation is to have faith; works are nothing, faith is the only
essential. But God’s Word tells us that faith without works is dead, being
alone.... Faith and works go hand in hand.... Works will never save us; it
is the merit of Christ that will avail in our behalf. Through faith in Him,
Christ will make all our imperfect efforts acceptable to God. The faith we
are required to have is not a do-nothing faith; saving faith is that which
works by love and purifies the soul. He who will lift up holy hands to God
without wrath and doubting will walk intelligently in the way of God’s
commandments.
If we are to have pardon for our sins we must first have a realization of
what sin is, that we may repent and bring forth fruits meet for repentance.
We must have a solid foundation for our faith; it must be founded on the
Word of God, and its results will be seen in obedience to God’s expressed
will.... Faith and works will keep us evenly balanced, and make us suc-
cessful in the work of perfecting Christian character.... We are living in an
important and interesting period of this earth’s history. We need more faith
than we have yet had; we need a firmer hold from above. Satan is working
with all power to obtain the victory over us, for he knows that he has but a
short time in which to work....
There is no excuse for sin or for indolence. Jesus has led the way, and
He wishes us to follow in His steps. He has suffered, He has sacrificed as
none of us can, that He might bring salvation within our reach. We need
not be discouraged. Jesus came to our world to bring divine power to man,
that through His grace we might be transformed into His likeness. When
it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus
accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and He makes up
for the deficiency with His own divine merit
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Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890.
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