SAVING FAITH

Saving Faith

The faith essential for salvation is not mere nominal faith, but an abiding principle, deriving vital power from Yahushua. It will lead the soul to feel the love of Yahushua to such a degree that the character will be refined, purified, ennobled. This faith in Yahushua is not merely an impulse, but a power that works by love and purifies the soul. It accomplishes something, bringing the soul under discipline, elevating it from defilement, and bringing it into connection with Yahushua, till it appropriates his virtue to the soul's need. This is saving faith.

There are many who claim to have faith, but how shall we know that it is genuine? The Master has given us a test by which we may prove our profession and the profession of others. 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" (Isaiah 8:20). John declares, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4). This test applies to those who have been enlightened in regard to the claims of Yahuwah's law. The principles of the Bible must be brought into every-day life, to enlighten conscience, and regulate the conduct.

If heavenly light is welcomed by the soul, grace will be given to adorn the character, to dignify the nature, and to fit man for the society of the angels of heaven. Every temptation may be conquered through the strength of Yahushua. Yahuwah desires us to have pure characters; purity is power, but sin is weakness and ruin.

Yahushua has said, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10). Yahushua came to our world, and for our sake he became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He suffered reproach, he was despised and rejected of men. He died a shameful death upon the cross, that we might have eternal life; and shall we dare to flatter ourselves that we may follow a course of sin, choosing our own way, shunning the cross, avoiding reproach and self-denial, and yet have a home in the kingdom of heaven?--No; through faith in Yahushua we must render obedience to all the requirements of Yahuwah; through his merits we may be elevated to keep Yahuwah's commandments.

Exceeding great and precious promises have been given unto us, whereby we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruptions that are in the world through lust. We must appropriate these promises to ourselves, that we may overcome unbelief, and get the victory over every besetment, perfecting a character that will meet the approval of Heaven. We are very anxious to appear well in the sight of men, but of how much greater importance is it that we stand approved in the presence of Yahuwah.

Day by day we are to fight the good fight of faith. Day by day Yahuwah will give us our work; and though we cannot see the end from the beginning, we are to examine ourselves daily to see if we are in the path of righteousness. We must strive to overcome, looking unto Yahushua; for in every temptation he will be at our side to give us the victory. Every day should come to us as the last day in which we may be privileged to work for Yahuwah, and much of it must be given to prayer that we may work in the strength of Yahushua. This is the way in which Enoch walked with Yahuwah, warning and condemning the world by manifesting before them a righteous character.

We profess to believe that Yahushua is soon coming to the earth, and a solemn responsibility rests upon us; for a lost world is to be warned of the hastening judgment. We must not lay off our responsibility; we must carry the burden of the work. Self must be out of sight, and Yahushua must appear; as faithful, obedient children, we must follow the light, and reflect its precious rays to others. We must be living epistles, known and read of all men. If we are to be cleansed, both soul and body, we cannot afford to be slothful and negligent. Yahushua is coming, the third angel's message must be proclaimed to the world; for it brings light upon the commandments of Yahuwah and the faith of Yahushua. O, could we realize how all heaven is interested in the salvation of the world, we should rouse up with holy zeal to be followers of Yahushua.

When Yahushua left the world, he gave to his disciples the work of carrying the gospel. The professed followers of Yahushua are held responsible for the warning of the world. How are we doing this solemn work committed to us? We must humble ourselves before Yahuwah, and not follow the ideas of men. We must come before the world, speaking the words of Yahuwah, that the world may know that Yahuwah has sent us, and that Heaven's mold is upon the work. O, we must grow up into a glorious temple in the Master. The enemy will come in, and try to draw our minds away from the important work to be done for this time. He will seek to keep us engaged on trivial matters, make us think that it is our province to criticise and condemn others; but our work is to deal faithfully with our own souls. We must search our hearts and see if we are right in the sight of Yahuwah. Peter said to Yahushua in regard to John, "Master, what shall this man do?" (John 21:21) But the Master answered him, "What is that to thee? follow thou me" (John 21:22). We each have a work to do for ourselves, and while we are criticising others, we are neglecting the most important work of all.

The great crisis is before us, and every one is to act as though his own soul was at stake. The most important question of all is, How shall I save my soul, for which Yahushua died? How shall I be holy, as he is holy? It is time to be seeking for the forgiveness of your sins, for the assurance that your names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Let every one realize that he is not his own, but has been bought with a price, even with the blood of the Son of Yahuwah.

Live by the day for Yahushua. Seek to be a victor just for this one day; for you do not know that you have another day to live. Confess your sins today. You have the promises of pardon.

The Master says, "Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me" (Isaiah 27:5). Yahuwah is in earnest with us. He has borne long and patiently with us, and the light that has shone upon us from the throne of his glory will not lessen our responsibility, but, if we fail to improve it, will leave us without excuse. Yahuwah will not be trifled with. You may ask, What shall I do to advance the light of truth? I answer, Work humbly for Yahuwah; do not exalt yourself, but remember that you are standing upon holy ground. We are living in the last days, and the great question is, How shall I stand before Yahuwah? Every one is responsible for the light he has received. What have you done with the light of heaven? Have you put it under a bushel?

There is a great work to be done; for we are to reach the people with the divine light of truth, not in our own way, but through the power and Spirit of Yahuwah. Yahuwah will use us as instruments in his hand, if we will yield ourselves to him. O that all may make the effort essential to win eternal life! Every soul is precious in the sight of Yahuwah. He declares by the prophet, "I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir" (Isaiah 13:12). This preciousness will be wrought in the soul that is connected with Yahushua; but our own ways must be abandoned, our own thoughts must be put away.

Yahushua says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). O, shall Yahushua plead in vain for an entrance into your heart? Clear away the rubbish from the door, and let him in, and you will know what is the comfort and peace of his blessing. I present before you the Man of Calvary. He can save unto the uttermost all that come unto Yahuwah by him. The more you have of Yahushua, the more you will desire a closer connection with him, and your soul will be hid with Yahushua in Yahuwah, and thus be prepared when he shall come with power and great glory.

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Yahushua, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:17-19). Not in self-confidence, not in self-exaltation, are we to pass the time of our sojourning, but in fear working with Yahushua for the salvation of others. We are to live as on holy ground, and when the Master shall appear in glory, we can say, "This is our Yahuwah; we have waited for him, and he will save us" (Isaiah 25:9).

By: Ellen White
Review and Herald
August 18, 1891