Faith
129
Humility Is Not Faith—Humility, meekness, and obedience are
not faith; but they are the effects, or fruit, of faith.—
Testimonies for
the Church 5:438
(1885).
Faith Gives Self-reliance—These things [the account of Paul’s
trust in God] were not written merely that we might read and wonder,
but that the same faith which wrought in God’s servants of old might
work in us. In no less marked a manner than He wrought then will
He work now wherever there are hearts of faith to be channels of His
power.
Let the self-distrustful, whose lack of self-reliance leads them to
shrink from care and responsibility, be taught reliance upon God. Thus
many a one who otherwise would be but a cipher in the world, perhaps
only a helpless burden, will be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (
Philippians
4:13
).—
Education, 256
(1903).
Faith Needed Every Step of the Way—Faith is needed in the
smaller no less than in the greater affairs of life. In all our daily interests
[533]
and occupations the sustaining strength of God becomes real to us
through an abiding trust.—
Education, 255
(1903).
Teach Faith—How to exercise faith should be made very plain.
To every promise of God there are conditions. If we are willing to do
His will, all His strength is ours. Whatever gift He promises is in the
promise itself. “The seed is the word of God” (
Luke 8:11
). As surely
as the oak is in the acorn, so surely is the gift of God in His promise.
If we receive the promise, we have the gift.—
Education, 253
(1903).
Faith Has Precious Lessons for Children—For the child ... who
is quick to resent injuries, faith has precious lessons. The disposition
to resist evil or to avenge wrong is often prompted by a keen sense
of justice and an active, energetic spirit. Let such a child be taught
that God is the eternal guardian of right. He has a tender care for the
beings whom He has so loved as to give His Dearest Beloved to save.
He will deal with every wrongdoer.—
Education, 256, 257
(1903).
Mind to Be Educated to Exercise Faith—Faith works by love
and purifies the soul from all selfishness. Thus the soul is perfected
in love. And having found grace and mercy through Christ’s precious
blood, how can we fail to be tender and merciful? “By grace are ye
saved through faith” (
Ephesians 5:8
). The mind should be educated to