61. ON FAITH
The heart of man is like a weight, whose natural bias is downward. Nothing
but a power outside of itself can cause it to ascend heavenward. The
attraction of gravitation is not more powerful in its effects on the various
parts of the universe, than is the debasing force of natural corruption in
the heart of fallen man.
There is, however, a counteracting principle—an attracting influence which
can draw the soul from earth to heaven, and unite it to the blessed God.
This principle is Faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God
because, until we truly believe in Jesus, we are in a state of guilt and
condemnation.
True faith is not a mere passive impression, or an inoperative notion. It is
a holy principle wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God, producing
gracious habits, holy affections, filial reverence, and obedience. Faith is
seated in the heart, influencing and purifying the whole inner man.
Faith unites the soul to Christ, as the branch to the vine. It draws virtue
from him, whereby the believer is rendered fruitful in every good work. The
sweet fruits of the Spirit appear and abound in rich luxuriance on these
favored branches, to the glory of God.
Faith places the soul upon Christ, as the only foundation, on which it is
built up a holy temple unto the Lord, unhurt by all the winds and storms
which beat upon it. Faith feeds upon Christ continually, as the true bread
which came down from heaven, of which, whoever eats shall live forever.
Faith works by love to God, his people, and his word. It evidences its
vitality by its fruits. Faith purifies the heart from sin, waging war
against all internal and external evil. Faith overcomes the world, both when
it smiles and when it frowns. Faith views the glorious land of promise as
its own, and triumphs over all intervening difficulties and dangers which
bestrew its path to Zion.
Faith makes the believer confident, yet watchful; bold, yet cautious;
aspiring, yet humble. He is confident, since the promises of God are kindly
given him to rest upon—watchful, since he feels the deceitfulness of his
rebellious heart—bold, since the honor of the Savior demands his
confession—cautious, lest he should be only gratifying a vain-glorious
spirit; aspiring after that honor which comes from God only; yet humble,
since he remembers his own vileness and utter unworthiness of the least of
the divine mercies.
If it be asked, how can faith effect such wonders? the reply is, because
faith is the gift of God, and the power of God. The believer, abiding in
Christ, and deriving continual supplies of grace and strength out of his
fullness, becomes mighty through this power which works in him mightily. He
is strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, to fight the good
fight of faith, and to lay hold on eternal life. Weak and helpless in
himself, he is strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus his Lord and
finally obtains the palm of victory through the blood of the Lamb. Thus,
faith in Christ at once gives peace to the conscience, and leads it to all
true holiness; for when peace is imparted to the conscience, purity is
produced in the heart.
Such is the faith of God's elect; a faith which is according to godliness.
That system of religion must be awfully defective, which would dare to lower
the standard of holiness under the false, I would say impious, notion of
thereby exalting the grace of God. Because Christ is a Savior, shall we make
him the minister of sin? Because God is merciful, must he therefore be
unjust? He who is glorious in holiness, cannot save sinners in their sins or
admit them into his kingdom, while sin has the dominion over them; it is
impossible. The whole of divine revelation, yes, the very plan of the
Gospel, is designed to preserve unsullied the infinite perfections of
Jehovah; while the vilest of sinners are saved from hell, and made, through
grace, to reflect the divine image, in all the beauties of holiness,
righteousness, and truth.
None are saved by Christ, but those who are saved from their sins. If any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
The apostle Paul, writing to the Galatians, says, "If there had been a law
given, which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by
the law." (Gal. iii, 21.)
This declaration is most important. If God could have given a law less
spiritual in its requirements, and less awful in its sanctions; if he could
have given a law, lowered in its standard, and yet compatible with his
infinite holiness and man's truest happiness; then life might have been
attained by such a law.
But as this, in the very nature of things, is impossible; as God cannot,
from the absolute perfection of his nature, command less than infinite
holiness approves, or less than infinite justice demands; as his law is
immutably holy, though man has rebelled against it, and lost all power to
obey it; it remains an unchangeable truth, that life cannot come by a law
which condemns the very thought of sin, and lays the whole human race under
merited condemnation.
On this account, the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise
by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. This divine
truth strikes at the root of those errors which would make the Gospel a
mitigated law; or mix man's works and the Savior's merits in the great act
of justification; or, denying the necessity of an atonement, make man's
repentance and obedience sufficient to insure the approbation of Heaven. The
law is given to us, not for the purpose of obtaining eternal life by our
obedience to its requirements, since "by the deeds of the law shall no flesh
living be justified;" but as a rule of life, by which we are to walk under
the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel is revealed for the all-gracious purpose of redeeming us from all
iniquity; and purifying our hearts from sin, through faith in the atonement
of Jesus the Son of God. Here spring all our hopes of forgiveness; all our
peace of conscience; all our joy in the Holy Spirit. From this source of
mercy we derive all our power to love and serve God in the filial spirit of
adoption.
Thus it is evident, that where infinite justice finds its satisfaction,
there, and there only, can my guilty soul find its salvation. The Lamb of
God, bleeding upon the cross, as the divinely appointed sacrifice for the
sins of a fallen world, is the sinner's only refuge from the storm of
eternal vengeance. To this blessed atonement I would look, and from it, I
would draw all my hopes of pardon, peace, and purity.
Oh! for more faith and love. Lord, without you I can do nothing. I feel my
helplessness, and my inward depravity. Lead me to the Rock which is higher
than I. Wash me in the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness. Sprinkle
clean water upon me, and I shall be clean. Put your Spirit within me. Cause
the south wind to blow, that my soul may be filled with precious fruits;
that the spices may flow out, that my beloved may come and eat his pleasant
fruits, and abide with me forever!
Oh! what a happy life is a life of faith in the son of God. To have the
humble, yet scriptural, assurance that my sins are forgiven; to know from
the word of truth, and to be persuaded that all things shall work together
for my good; is the divine alchemy which turns all to gold.
Sickness, adversity, persecution, the buffetings of Satan, are all overruled
for good, when the soul is accepted and pardoned through faith in the blood
of Jesus. Nothing can separate such a soul from the love of God, while
abiding in Christ by faith.
How safe, how happy, how rich is the true believer in Jesus. He is safe
under the protecting wing of the Almighty; happy in the enjoyment of the
divine favor; rich with all the treasures of grace and glory. He is
Christ's, and Christ is God's.
And yet, how is such a state despised by the world! Those who live in the
enjoyment of it are deemed enthusiasts, or perhaps insane. Numbers who would
be thought religious, treat such a state of feeling with coldness, or
receive it with caution. They seem to dread everything that is fervent or
transporting in religion; as if the affections had no share with the
understanding in the great transactions between Christ and the soul.
Oh that I could feel my heart more alive to God; more active in his service!
A lukewarm spirit is hateful to a God of love. I am convinced that faith is
the gift of God, not only because I read it in my Bible, but because I feel
my utter inability, by any natural power of my own, to produce it in myself.
I am taught to pray for this blessing in the name of Jesus. But true prayer
is equally the gift of God.
Thus I perceive that I am indebted to sovereign grace alone for the whole
work of salvation from first to last; from the first incipient desire after
God, to the full fruition of him in glory. Then what must I do! Must I sit
still and do nothing! Ah, no! This would, indeed, be enthusiasm. Satan and
may own indolent heart would have me act in this manner. But such reasoning
would condemn, and not excuse me in the day of judgment. God has given me an
understanding, which, though darkened through the fall, is still capable,
under the advantages of Christian instruction, of knowing that the Creator
ought to be loved, and feared, and served above all other beings.
He has given me a conscience, which, though awfully defiled, yet, under such
instruction, is capable of making me feel that I do not love, and fear, and
serve this almighty Creator above all other things; and therefore, that I am
a guilty creature, and deserving of his eternal wrath.
God has cast my lot in a land where Jesus is preached, where sinners are
invited to come unto him for all those blessings which they have lost
through the fall, and of which they stand in need. My responsibility is,
therefore, increased by this offered mercy.
What, then, must I do? Surely it is my duty, as a rational and responsible
creature, to listen to the call of my heavenly Father. It is my duty to come
to the cross of Christ, just as I am, blind, ignorant, helpless, guilty, and
polluted, that I may obtain, through the riches of his grace, light, and
strength, and righteousness, and sanctification.
If I do not come, the fault is altogether my own; it is because I will not.
The guilt lies in the bad state of my heart. If I do come, it is through the
secret, yet powerful operation of divine grace, seeing God is the first
mover of the heart to himself. Infinite Wisdom knows how to reconcile these
seeming differences; and what the believer knows not now, he shall know
hereafter.
Hence it is evident, that all the specious pleas and excuses which sinners
make for not coming to Jesus, will before long be found to originate in
their love of sin, and in the corrupt state of their will. Hell will be
filled with self-reproaches, and with eternal self-condemnations. Let not
Satan, then, Oh my soul, and a perverse rebellious will, keep you from the
Savior. Press to him through the crowd. Do not be afraid of meeting with a
repulse. His heart is full of tenderness and love.
Bartimeus could not heal his blindness; nor the leper his leprosy; nor the
poor woman her issue of blood. They all felt their respective maladies. They
believed that Jesus could restore them. They applied to him, and were
healed. Go and do you likewise. Cry also to the Savior; touch the hem of his
garment; and he, who is all power, and grace, and love, will impart this
saving faith, and enable you to draw virtue from him; saying, "I will, be
clean." "Only believe. All things are possible to him that believes."
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Lord, increase my faith. Enable me to
come to you now in humble confidence and love, that I may receive out of
your fullness grace for grace. Lord, shine upon your work. Make me a
monument of your mercy, that I may live to your glory, and sing your
everlasting praise.
Oppressed with grief overwhelmed with fear,
Where can I find a refuge near?
Dear Savior, unto you I flee,
Oh! hide me in Gethsemane.
My sins assume an awful form;
Around I view the rising storm;
I fly, my only Lord, to you,
Oh! hide me in Gethsemane.
In that sweet garden, you did bear
Of guilt and pain my awful share;
Your bleeding form methinks I see
Extended in Gethsemane.
Oh! fill my heart with fervent love;
To you, let each affection move;
From sin preserve me ever free,
While sheltered in Gethsemane.