Chapter 58—Faith
A Definition of Faith—Faith, saving faith, is to be taught. The
definition of this faith in Jesus Christ may be described in few words:
It is the act of the soul by which the whole man is given over to the
guardianship and control of Jesus Christ. He abides in Christ and
Christ abides in the soul by faith as supreme. The believer commits
his soul and body to God and with assurance may say, Christ is able to
keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. All who
will do this will be saved unto life eternal. There will be an assurance
that the soul is washed in the blood of Christ and clothed with His
righteousness and precious in the sight of Jesus. Our thoughts and
our hopes are on the second advent of our Lord. That is the day when
the Judge of all the earth will reward the trust of His people.—MS 6,
1889.
Other Definitions—Through faith we receive the grace of God,
but faith is not our Saviour. It earns nothing. It is the hand by which
we lay hold upon Christ and appropriate His merits.—
The Desire of
Ages, 175
(1898).
Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows best
what is for our good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us to choose
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His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of
our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteous-
ness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His
ownership and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, have
been pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in
possession of these principles.—
Education, 253
(1903).
Simple in Operation—Faith is simple in its operation and power-
ful in its results. Many professed Christians, who have a knowledge of
the Sacred Word and believe its truth, fail in the childlike trust that is
essential to the religion of Jesus. They do not reach out with that pecu-
liar touch that brings the virtue of healing to the soul.—
Redemption:
The Miracles of Christ 3:97 (1874)
. (
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary
6:1074
.)
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