It is to this very epistle that the advocates of salvation by faith alone chiefly refer when seeking support for their irrational theory, and they quote: "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans V; 1.) Also, "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay, but by the law of faith." (Chap. III; 27.) But they neglect to add what follows, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law," (v. 28). The tenor of the whole epistle is to the effect that the law of Moses is insufficient; that "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall be no flesh justified in his sight." (v. 20). That justification and redemption come through the atonement made by Christ, and that faith in him, which includes belief in his teachings and obedience to his commands, is the one way of salvation.
Another quotation common with the disciples of the faith alone doctrine is this: "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." (Romans X; 9.) But here again they omit the following verse: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (v. 10.)
This is the key to the whole matter. The faith that saves is the faith that leads to obedience, which is "better than sacrifice." That obedience must be given to "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Belief, prayer, devotional exercises, of themselves will not prepare man for the presence and society of his Maker. To dwell with Him, man must be assimilated to His likeness. This can be effected only by compliance with His commands. Man's future will be determined by his present course. In the glorious vision given to John the Beloved, we find this: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works." (Rev. XX; 12.)
This tract is but preliminary to others, in which the one everlasting way of life and plan of salvation will be plainly pointed out, for the benefit of mankind and the glory of the Supreme and Eternal God, to whom be honor and praise forever. Amen.
RAYS OF LIVING LIGHT.
No. 2.
BY CHARLES W. PENROSE
The first principle of revealed religion is Faith in God. True religion must begin with faith in the true God. Faith in false Gods, leads to false religions. Without faith there can be no religion in the soul of man. "Without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. XI; 6.) In a general sense faith is the assurance in the soul of the existence of unseen things, that is, unseen by the natural eye. The principle of faith, that is, the power to believe, is planted in man by the gift of God. It is developed by evidence. Faith in God is brought into action by the word of God. Whether spoken by Deity Himself, by angels sent from His presence, or by men divinely authorized and appointed to speak in His name under the influence of His Holy Spirit, the word of God is the same. When that word is written it is scripture.
Evidences of the existence of a Supreme Being are seen in vast profusion. They appeal to every rational mind. The order, beauty, and sublimity of the heavenly bodies, moving through space in silent majesty, each in its own orbit, balancing and counter-balancing each other without an error in time or revolution, all preserving their own identity and performing their own mission, proceeding thus through everlasting ages, are perennial witnesses of the existence, power, and glory of God. The earth itself, with its relations to other planets, its products, its seasons, its adaptation to the needs of the creatures that inhabit its surface or its atmosphere, joins in the grand chorus of the music of the spheres, "forever singing as they shine, the Hand that made us is Divine." Nature, however, while proclaiming the existence of Deity, does not disclose His personality or reveal His will. A knowledge of God can only come from God. Faith leads to that knowledge.