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We Receive A Faith That Works By Love, January 8
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6
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When you present your petitions to the Lord, it should be in humility, without
boasting of superior attainments, but with real soul hunger for the blessing of God.
Christ always knows what is cherished in the heart. We must come in faith that
the Lord will hear and answer our prayers; for “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Genuine faith is the faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. A living faith
will be a working faith. Should we go into the garden and find that there was no
sap in the plants, no freshness in the leaves, no bursting buds or blooming flowers,
no signs of life in stalk or branches, we would say, “The plants are dead. Uproot
them from the garden; for they are a deformity to the beds.” So it is with those
who profess Christianity, and have no spirituality. If there are no signs of religious
vigor, if there is no doing of the commandments of the Lord, it is evident that
there is no abiding in Christ, the living vine.
Faith and love are the essential, powerful, working elements of Christian
character. Those who possess them are one with Christ, and are carrying forward
His mission.... We are to sit at Christ’s feet as continual learners, and to work with
His gifts of faith and love. We shall then wear Christ’s yoke, and lift His burdens,
and Christ will recognize us as one with Him; in heaven it will be said, “Ye are
labourers together with God.” Will our youth remember that without faith it is
impossible to please God? and it must be faith that works by love and purifies the
soul.
We cannot overestimate the value of simple faith and unquestioning obedience.
It is by following in the path of obedience in simple faith that the character obtains
perfection.
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