Faith
133
Not a Matter of Impulse—Many pass long years in darkness and
doubt because they do not feel as they desire. But feeling has nothing
to do with faith. That faith which works by love and purifies the soul
is not a matter of impulse. It ventures out upon the promises of God,
firmly believing that what He has said, He is able also to perform. Our
souls may be trained to believe, taught to rely upon the Word of God.
That Word declares that “the just shall live by faith” (
Romans 1:17
),
not by feeling.—
The Youth’s Instructor, July 8, 1897
. (HC 119.)
Do Not Rely on Feelings—Let us put away everything like distrust
and want of faith in Jesus. Let us commence a life of simple, childlike
trust, not relying upon feeling but upon faith. Do not dishonor Jesus
by doubting His precious promises. He wants us to believe in Him
[538]
with unwavering faith.—Lt 49, 1888. (HC 119.)
Act Positively in Faith—Keep looking unto Jesus, offering up
silent prayers in faith, taking hold of His strength, whether you have
any manifest feeling or not. Go right forward as if every prayer offered
was lodged in the throne of God and responded to by the One whose
promises never fail. Go right along, singing and making melody to
God in your hearts, even when depressed by a sense of weight and
sadness. I tell you as one who knows, light will come, joy will be ours,
and the mists and clouds will be rolled back. And we pass from the
oppressive power of the shadow and darkness into the clear sunshine
of His presence.—Lt 7, 1892. (
Selected Messages 2:242, 243
.)
Faith and Evidence of Christianity—When you receive help and
comfort, sing to the praise of God. Talk with God. Thus you will
become a friend of God. You will rely on Him. You will obtain a
faith that will trust whether you feel like trusting or not. Remember
that feeling is not an evidence that you are a Christian. Implicit faith
in God shows that you are His child. Trust in God. He will never
disappoint you. He says, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come
to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye
see Me: because I live, ye shall live also” (
John 14:18, 19
). We do
not see Christ in person. It is by faith that we behold Him. Our faith
grasps His promises. Thus it was that Enoch walked with God.—MS
27, 1901.
Faith Is Real—Moses did not merely think of God, he saw Him.
God was the constant vision before him. Never did he lose sight of
His face.