Mark
16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned.
Christ the Life-giver
Selected Messages Book 1
Page 300
Christ declares: "I am the bread of life: he that cometh
to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst"
(John
6:35). "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which
seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day" (John
6:40). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath
everlasting life" (John
6:47). "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood,
ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath
eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is
meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and
drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and in him. As the living Father hath
sent me, and I live by the ather: so he that eateth me, even he shall live
by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers
did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for
ever" (John
6:53-58). "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John
6:63).
Matthew
24:23
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ,
or there; believe it not.
On the Mount of Olive
The Desire of Ages
Page 631
Now, in unmistakable language, our Lord speaks of His
second coming, and He gives warning of dangers to precede His advent to
the world. "If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there;
believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets,
and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible,
they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore
if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth:
behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning
cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be." As one of the signs of Jerusalem's destruction,
Christ had said, "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
False prophets did rise, deceiving the people, and leading great numbers
into the desert. Magicians and sorcerers, claiming miraculous power, drew
the people after them into the mountain solitudes. But this prophecy was
spoken also for the last days. This sign is given as a sign of the second
advent. Even now false christs and false prophets are showing signs and
wonders to seduce His disciples. Do we not hear the cry, "Behold, He is
in the desert"? Have not thousands gone forth into the desert, hoping to
find Christ? And from thousands of gatherings where men profess to hold
communion with departed spirits is not the call now heard, "Behold, He
is in the secret chambers"? This is the very claim that spiritism puts
forth. But what says Christ? "Believe it not. For as the lightning cometh
out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming
of the Son of man be."
Mark
1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
"The Kingdom of God Is at Hand"
The Desire of Ages
Page 233
The burden of Christ's preaching was, "The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Thus the gospel message, as given by the Saviour Himself, was based on
the prophecies. The "time" which He declared to be fulfilled was the period
made known by the angel Gabriel to Daniel. "Seventy weeks," said the angel,
"are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression,
and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and
to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the most holy." Dan.
9:24. A day in prophecy stands for a year. See Num.
14:34; Ezek.
4:6. The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety days, represent
four hundred and ninety years. A starting point for this period is given:
"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment
to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be
seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks," sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred
and eighty-three years. Dan.
9:25. The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, as completed
by the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus (see Ezra
6:14; 7:1, 9, margin), went into effect in the autumn of B. C. 457.
From this time four hundred and eighty-three years extend to the autumn
of A. D. 27. According to the prophecy, this period was to reach to the
Messiah, the Anointed One. In A. D. 27, Jesus at His baptism received the
anointing of the Holy Spirit, and soon afterward began His ministry. Then
the message was proclaimed. "The time is fulfilled."
Mark
5:36
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith
unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Lift Him Up as the Crucified One
Lift Him Up
Page 237
Those who depend upon their own righteousness instead
of relying upon the righteousness of Christ will lose the prize; they will
be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting. Let everyone
who is striving for the precious boon of eternal life distrust his own
strength, and, in much prayer, cast his helpless soul upon Christ. There
is too little searching of the Word of God for definite direction in the
way of life. The larger number of those who profess to believe on Christ
have only superficial ideas as to what constitutes Christian character.
. . . Do not deceive yourself with the idea that your own inherent righteousness
will bring you into harmony with God. Do not fail to look upon yourself
as a sinner in the sight of God. Do not fail to look upon Jesus lifted
up upon the cross; and as you look, believe and live; for by faith in the
atoning sacrifice you may be justified through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus. Believe that you are forgiven, that you are justified, not
in transgression and disobedience, but in submission to the will of God.
If through faith you lay hold of the righteousness of Christ, then be not
careless of your thoughts, your words, your works. Study much, and pray
that as Christ has shown you the way, He may by His grace keep you in the
way. For we are "kept by the power of God through faith"; and even faith
is not of ourselves, but it also is the gift of God.
Mark
9:23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things
are possible to him that believeth.
A Consecrated Life
My Life Today
Page 9
The righteous have ever obtained help from above. How often have the enemies of God united their strength and wisdom to destroy the character and influence of a few simple persons who trusted in God. But because the Lord was for them, none could prevail against them. . . . Let them be separated from their idols and from the world, and the world will not separate them from God. Christ is our present, all-sufficient Saviour. In Him all fullness dwells. It is the privilege of Christians to know indeed that Christ is in them of a truth. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." All things are possible to him that believeth; and whatsoever things we desire when we pray, if we believe that we receive them we shall have them. This faith will penetrate the darkest cloud and bring rays of light and hope to the drooping, desponding soul. It is the absence of this faith and trust which brings perplexity, distressing fears, and surmisings of evil. God will do great things for His people when they put their entire trust in Him.
Meeting Trials
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
Date 09-01-91
"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous." How careful is the Lord Jesus to give no occasion
for a soul to despair. How he fences about the soul from Satan's fierce
attacks. If through manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived into
sin, he does not turn from us, and leave us to perish. No, no, that is
not like our Saviour. Christ prays for us. He was tempted in all points
like as we are; and having been tempted, he knows how to succor those who
are tempted. Our crucified Lord is pleading for us in the presence of his
Father at the throne of grace. His atoning sacrifice we may plead for our
pardon, our justification, and our sanctification. The Lamb slain is our
only hope. Our faith looks upon him, grasps him as the one who can save
to the uttermost, and the fragrance of the all-sufficient offering is accepted
of the Father. Unto Christ is committed all power in heaven and in earth,
and all things are possible to him that believeth. Christ's glory is concerned
in our success. He has a common interest with all humanity. He is our sympathizing
Saviour.
Mark
9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and
said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Lay Hold of the Hope
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
Date 06-09-96
It is true that we are exposed to great moral peril; it
is true that we are in danger of being corrupted. But this danger threatens
us only as we trust in self, and look no higher than our own human efforts.
In doing this we shall make shipwreck of faith. Our hope of salvation is
an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, when it entereth into that
which is within the vail. Anchored in Christ, the soul, like a ship amid
the raging elements, tempest-tossed and driven, is immovable. It is not
driven on the rocks or drawn into the whirlpool. "Wherefore didst thou
doubt?" said Christ to the sinking Peter. The same question may be addressed
to us. Why do we dishonor God with our shameful unbelief? The Lord has
pledged himself to give us strength to enable us to stand. As we search
the Scriptures, we find ground for confidence, provision for sufficiency.
It is our privilege to say boldly, yet humbly, The Lord is my helper, therefore
I shall not be moved from my steadfastness. My life is hid with Christ
in God. Because he lives, I shall live also. Let us pledge ourselves before
God and the angels of heaven that we will not dishonor God by speaking
words of discouragement or unbelief. If we talk faith, we shall have faith;
we shall be confirmed in faith. Close the door to distrust, and open the
door wide to faith. Invite into the soul temple the heavenly Guest. Let
every word we utter, every line we trace with the pen, give evidence of
unwavering faith. Let us not think that Jesus is the Saviour of some one
else, but that he is our personal friend. Entertain the precious thought
that Jesus loves me. In this way the cloud of despondency and gloom will
be rolled back from the soul, and we shall be enabled to make melody in
our hearts unto God. We may triumph in the Lord, every day acknowledging
the fact that our heavenly treasure, our everlasting portion, is sure to
us through the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Believing this
ourselves, we shall be able to aid others to see that their only help is
in God, and encourage them to flee for refuge to Christ, laying hold on
the hope set before us in the gospel.
Mark
11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto
this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall
not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith
shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
The Angel of Revelation
Maranatha
Page 218
There is to be, at this period, a series of events which
will reveal that God is Master of the situation. The truth will be proclaimed
in clear, unmistakable language. As a people, we must prepare the way of
the Lord, under the overruling guidance of the Holy Spirit. The gospel
is to be given in its purity. The stream of living water is to deepen and
widen in its course. In all fields, nigh and afar off, men will be called
from the plow and from the more common commercial business vocations that
largely occupy the mind, and will be educated in connection with men of
experience. As they learn to labor effectively, they will proclaim the
truth with power. Through most wonderful workings of divine providence,
mountains of difficulties will be removed, and cast into the sea. The message
that means so much to the dwellers upon the earth will be heard and understood.
Men will know what is truth. Onward, and still onward the work will advance,
until the whole earth shall have been warned. And then shall the end come.
Mark
11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Experience and Views
Early Writings of Ellen G. White
Page 72
True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose they have much faith when sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and that they cannot have faith unless they feel the power of the Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes through faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit.
When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind,
then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the
clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained in the Word of God,
and those only who obey that Word can claim its glorious promises. "If
ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and
it shall be done unto you." John
15:7. "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments,
and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." 1
John 3:22.
Mark
16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Medical Evangelistic Education
The Medical Evangelist
Date 01-01-10
Let the students follow closely the example of the One
who purchased the human race with the costly price of his own life. Let
them appeal to the Savior, and depend upon Him as the One who heals all
manner of diseases. The Lord would have the workers make special efforts
to point the sick and suffering to the great Physician who made the human
body. He would have all become obedient children to the faith, that they
may come with confidence and ask for bodily restoration. Many who come
to our sanitariums will be blessed as they learn the truth concerning the
Word of God, many who would never learn it through any other medium.
Luke
24:25
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to
believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Christ, The Light of the World, Uncomprehended
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
Date 04-23-95
They asked themselves why they had pursued such a course
as made it necessary for Christ to say to them: "O fools, and slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not Christ to have
suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" Why had they not recognized
their Master in him who had taught them marvelous truths? for "beginning
at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures
the things concerning himself." They often rehearsed the conversations
of Christ, and said, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked
with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?" Why did
we allow earthly considerations and the opposition of priests, rulers,
and rabbis to confuse our senses, so that we did not comprehend the fact
that a greater than Moses was among us, that One wiser than Solomon was
instructing us? How dull were our ears! How feeble was our understanding!
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
John 5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Destiny for Eternity
This Day with God
Page 120
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. ... From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6:63-69.
To those who obey, the Word of God is the tree of life.
It is the word of salvation, received unto eternal life. Those who follow
its teachings eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. On the
effect which this word produces on us, depends our destiny for eternity.
It possesses the elements necessary for the formation of a perfect character.
The Christian is appointed to connect with God in such close relationship
that his life is bound up with the life of Christ in the eternal life of
God.
John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
True Conversion
Testimonies for the Church Volume Two
Page 295
I beg of you, my brother, to search your heart diligently
and inquire: "What road am I traveling, and where will it end?" You have
reason to rejoice that your life has not been cut off while you have no
certain hope of eternal life. God forbid that you should longer neglect
this work, and so perish in your sins. Do not flatter your soul with false
hopes. You see no way to get hold again but one so humble that you cannot
consent to accept it. Christ presents to you, even to you, my erring brother,
a message of mercy: "Come; for all things are now ready." God is ready
to accept you and to pardon all your transgressions, if you will but come.
Though you have been a prodigal, and have separated from God and stayed
away from Him so long, He will meet you even now. Yes; the Majesty of heaven
invites you to come to Him, that you may have life. Christ is ready to
cleanse you from sin when you lay hold upon Him. What profit have you found
in serving sin? what profit in serving the flesh and the devil? Is it not
poor wages you receive? Oh! turn ye, turn ye; for why will ye die?
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Try the Spirits
The Signs of the Times
Date 09-03-94
Spiritualism is a dangerous phase of infidelity, and we
should not go into the assemblies of Spiritualists prompted by motives
of curiosity. In so doing we are placing ourselves on Satan's ground, and
cannot expect help from God unless he has a work for us to do to speak
some message to those who are ignorant and deceived, and immediately leave
the assembly. "They are of the world; therefore speak they of the world,
and the world heareth them." The erroneous doctrine that the soul is immortal
is almost universally received by the world, and the belief that the dead
go immediately to heaven gives Spiritualism a deep hold upon the people.
Believing this doctrine men have nothing with which to shield themselves
from the errors of Spiritualism. Through evil spirits they receive communications,
and accept them as messages from their lost loved ones. Satan and his agents
personate their dead friends, and thus impart to them Satanic delusions.
But God has given us a rule whereby to test what is truth. The prophet
says: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to
this word, it is because there is no light in them." "He that is of God
heareth God's word." "We are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he
that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth,
and the spirit of error." "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my
sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice,and I know them, and
they follow me." "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual,
let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments
of the Lord. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that confesseth
not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that
spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even
now already is it in the world."
John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
"He that Hath Seen Me Hath Seen the Father"
The Signs of the Times
Date 06-09-90
By Mrs. E. G. White.
Through Jesus, the Son of God, the Father is more fully
revealed to the world. Jesus said to his disciples: "If ye had known me,
ye should have known my Father also; and from henceforth ye know him, and
have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it
sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you,
and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen
the Father." The souls of thousands are crying out to-day, "Show us the
Father, and we will be satisfied. We cannot claim God as our Father until
we see him." Jesus says to every such soul, as he said to Philip: "'Have
I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me?' Have you
seen my works, have you listened to my teachings, have you witnessed the
miracles that I have wrought in my Father's name, and yet have you not
understood the nature of God? I have prayed with you and for you, and yet
can you not comprehend that I am the way, the truth, and the life, and
that in my life I have unfolded to you the character of my Father? I am
the brightness of my Father's glory, I am the express image of his person.
'Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself; but the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father,
and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall
he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto
my Father.'"
John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John
20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the
LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print
of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust
my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Warnings and Reproof
Testimonies for the Church Volume Two
Page 104
Like faithless Thomas, you have considered it a virtue
to doubt unless you could have unmistakable evidence, removing from your
mind all cause for doubt. Did Jesus commend the unbelieving Thomas while
granting him the evidence which he declared he would have before he believed?
Jesus said unto him: "Be not faithless, but believing." Thomas answered:
"My Lord and my God." He is now compelled to believe; there is no room
to doubt. Jesus then said: "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
You were represented to me as uniting with the rebel leader and his host
to annoy, perplex, dishearten, discourage, and overthrow those who are
battling for the right, who are standing under the bloodstained banner
of Prince Immanuel. Your influence, I was shown, has turned souls from
keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. You have employed your talents
and your skill to manufacture weapons to place in the hands of the enemies
of God, to fight those who are trying to obey God in keeping His commandments.
While angels have been commissioned to strengthen the things that remain,
to withstand and counteract your influence, they have looked with the deepest
grief upon your work to dishearten and destroy. You have caused pure, sinless,
holy angels to weep.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Before Annas and Caiaphas
The Signs of the Times
Date 01-17-00
After reading this history, will any of the people of
God confederate with the powers of darkness, prostituting their God-given
faculties to Satan's work? From this lesson all may learn What Little
Trust Humanity Can Place in Humanity, even in those who fill the highest
positions of trust. These things are recorded for the benefit of all who
shall be called upon to suffer similar scorn and derision for Christ's
sake. God's people will suffer because of the delusion that will come upon
men's minds. Because some conscientiously differ with them on subjects
of Bible truth, men will repeat the actions which were done to Christ.
But none are to retaliate, or to feel that God has left them to suffer
when He might deliver them. "If ye were of the world," Christ declared,
"the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but
I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember
the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.
If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have
kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they
do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me."
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Abide in Me
The Signs of the Times
Date 03-23-88
It is impossible for any of us to have a practical knowledge
of this union with Christ, without the constant exercise of faith. Faith
binds our souls to him, and makes us partakers of the divine nature. Our
spiritual growth, our peace, our steadfastness, our constant obedience
to the words of Christ, all depend upon the degree of faith we have in
God. "Without faith it is impossible to please, Him;" for we are powerless
to do anything from acceptable motives, except through the grace of Christ,
and this grace can be supplied only through the channel of faith, that
opens the way of direct communication between our souls and God. In accordance
with our faith, we are enabled to overcome principalities, and powers,
and spiritual wickedness in high places. Selfishness will not be permitted
to flourish in the heart that is exercising living faith. Sin will not
be indulged where faith beholds God and angels watching the development
of character, and weighing moral worth. Eternal life, the gift of God through
Jesus Christ, is a precious reality, and sin becomes exceeding sinful and
abhorrent. Faith beholds "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world," and realizes something of the cost of Calvary.
1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Justification by Faith, Part I
The Youth's Instructor
Date 03-01-00
The faith that accepts Christ as One who is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him, means perfect belief and trust. To be intelligently convinced is not enough. The apostle James writes: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." Many there are who believe that Christ has died for the sins of the world, but they make no appropriation of this grand truth to their own souls. Their hearts are not enlisted in the service of God, their lives are not reformed. They are not sanctified by the truth they profess to believe. Not having the faith that works by love and purifies the soul, no genuine good appears in their lives. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" asks the apostle. "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."
Justified by Faith
Manuscript Releases Volume Eight
Page 356
A general faith is entertained by many, and their assent is given that Christianity is the only hope for perishing souls. But to believe this intellectually is not sufficient to the saving of the soul. James tells us in his epistle that the devils believe and tremble, but this is not a saving faith that will justify them. There are thousands who believe in the gospel and in Jesus Christ as the world's Redeemer, but they are not saved by that faith. This is only an assent of their judgment to that which is a fact, but it does not transform the character. They do not repent and have that faith that lays hold upon Christ as their sin-pardoning Saviour; their belief is not unto repentance. There must be a faith that accomplishes its work for the receiver, a faith in the atoning sacrifice, a faith that works by love and purifies the soul.
Satan And The Great Rebellion
The Faith I Live By
Page 90
When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His Word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says that "the devils also believe, and tremble"; but this is not faith. Where there is not only a belief in God's Word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith--faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Ps. 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1.
Justified by Faith
Selected Messages Book 1
Page 389
Many have a nominal faith in Christ, but they know nothing
of that vital dependence upon Him which appropriates the merits of a crucified
and risen Saviour. Of his nominal faith James says: "Thou believest that
there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James
2:19, 20). Many concede that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world,
but at the same time they hold themselves away from Him, and fail to repent
of their sins, fail to accept of Jesus as their personal Saviour. Their
faith is simply the assent of the mind and judgment to the truth; but the
truth is not brought into the heart, that it might sanctify the soul and
transform the character. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:
and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorified" (Rom.
8:29, 30). Calling and justification are not one and the same thing.
Calling is the drawing of the sinner to Christ, and it is a work wrought
by the Holy Spirit upon the heart, convicting of sin, and inviting to repentance.
James
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7
PAGE 936
There is a belief that is not a saving faith. The Word declares that the devils believe and tremble. The so-called faith that does not work by love and purify the soul will not justify any man. . . . Abraham believed God. How do we know that he believed? His works testified to the character of his faith, and his faith was accounted to him for righteousness.
Growth in Grace
Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
Date 05-30-82
I have deep anguish of soul as I think that many who have great light and great knowledge of Bible truths, and some even who have taken the responsibility of presenting these truths to others, have yet so little of the love of Jesus in their own hearts. Like the religious teachers whom Christ reproved, they say and do not. They are fruitless branches. A mere profession of godliness is of but little account. A nominal, theoretical belief of the truth is of but little value. The devils also believe, and tremble. We must have that faith that works by love, and purifies the soul.
Our experience in spiritual things must deepen and widen.
We need more strength daily, and we may obtain it by constant communion
with God.
