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A Working Faith, April 12
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is
of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith.
Philippians 3:9
.
It is one thing to read and teach the Bible, and another thing to have
by practice its life-giving, sanctifying principles engrafted on the soul....
“By grace are ye saved through faith” (
Ephesians 2:8
). The mind should
be educated to exercise faith rather than to cherish doubt, suspicion, and
jealousy. We are too prone to regard obstacles as impossibilities. To have
faith in the promises of God, to go forward by faith, pressing on without
being governed by circumstances, is a lesson hard to learn. Yet it is a
positive necessity that every child of God should learn this lesson. The
grace of God through Christ is ever to be cherished, for it is given us as
the only way of approaching God....
The faith mentioned in God’s Word calls for a life in which faith in
Christ is an active, living principle. It is God’s will that faith in Christ
shall be made perfect by works; He connects the salvation and eternal life
of those who believe, with these works, and through them provides for
the light of truth to go to all countries and peoples. This is the fruit of the
workings of God’s Spirit.
We show our faith in God by obeying His commands. Faith is always
expressed in words and actions. It produces practical results, for it is
a vital element in the life. The life that is molded by faith develops a
determination to advance, to go forward, following in the footsteps of
Christ.
We have been taken as rough stones out of the quarry of the world
by the cleaver of truth and placed in the workshop of God. He who has
genuine faith in Christ as his personal Saviour will find that the truth
accomplishes a definite work for him. His faith is a working faith.... We
cannot create our faith, but we can be colaborers with Christ in promoting
the growth and triumph of faith.
The faith that works by love and purifies the soul produces the fruit
of humility, patience, forbearance, long-suffering, peace, joy, and willing
obedience.
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