A Progressive Faith

[Thompson, Darryl]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for May 20
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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A Progressive Faith

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. Heb. 11:6.

The time has come when we are to expect large blessings from the Lord.
We must rise to a higher standard on the subject of faith. We have too
little faith. The Word of God is our endorsement. We must take it,
simply believing every word. With this assurance we may claim large
things, and according to our faith it will be unto us....

The work of faith means more than we think. It means genuine reliance
upon the naked word of God. By our actions we are to show that we
believe that God will do just as He has said. The wheels of nature and
of providence are not appointed to roll backward nor to stand still. We
must have an advancing, working faith, a faith that works by love and
purifies the soul from every vestige of selfishness. It is not self, but
God, that we must depend upon. We must not cherish unbelief. We must
have that faith that takes God at His word. . . . 

True faith consists in doing just what God has enjoined, not
manufacturing things He has not enjoined. Justice, truth, mercy, are the
fruit of faith. We need to walk in the light of God's law; then good
works will be the fruit of our faith, the proceeds of a heart renewed
every day. The tree must be made good before the fruit can be good. We
must be wholly consecrated to God. Our will must be made right before
the fruit can be good. We must have no fitful religion. "Whatsoever ye
do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).

O what a field is opened before me! Our people must have the deep
working of the Spirit of God every day. They must have a faith that
works by love, a faith that emanates from God. There must not be a
thread of selfishness drawn into the fabric. When our faith works by
love, just such a love as Christ revealed in His life, it will be of a
firm texture; it will be the fruit of a will subdued. But not until self
dies can Christ live in us. Not until self dies can we possess a faith
that works by love and purifies the soul.

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p.131.