LIVING FAITH GIVES THE VICTORY by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 25, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 47

LIVING FAITH GIVES THE VICTORY.

By R. F. Cottrell

The apostle John says, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” It has ever been true that “the just shall live by faith;” but as we approach the end, when there will be but little faith on the earth, as Jesus inculcated, it will become more and more emphatically so; hence the prophet, followed by the apostle, speaking of the time when he that is to come is about to come, says, “Now the just shall live by faith.”

And it is not a dead faith in past truth, but a living faith in present truth, that is necessary to assure the victory. The apostle continues: “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” In the days of the apostles this was the present truth. It was the great testing truth for that time. It was easy for the unbelieving at that time to say, “We know that God spake unto Moses.” It was no cross to profess faith in a truth so far in the past, and so generally admitted. But Jesus said to them, “If ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.”

In those days it was as bold a stride of living faith to confess that Jesus was the Son of God, as it is now to believe that he is soon coming again according to his promise. It was a testing, separating truth, as is now the last message of the everlasting gospel. Says the apostle, “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.” That Jesus was the Son of God was a present, testing truth then; but it is not so now. Every member of a worldly church now is ready to confess his faith in a truth so far in the past, and so generally admitted as long-established truth. But when we come to speak of Jesus’ words of promise which are being fulfilled in our day, it is far otherwise. This involves a cross. It is as unpopular now to confess the fulfillment of the words of Jesus which show that his second coming is at the door, as it was at that time to confess that he was the Son of God. But will those who have no faith in the promise of Jesus be prepared to overcome the world amid the perils of these last days? Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that has implicit confidence in the promise of Jesus?

But let us come home. Who is it among S. D. Adventists that excel in piety and spirituality, but those who have implicit confidence in the message as from Heaven, and in the testimonies of the Spirit of God which are connected with it? Who is he that overcometh—that holds control over his temper, appetites, and passions—but he who cordially embraces the whole truth, accepts and acts upon the testimonies in all points, not excepting the light upon health and temperance? “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” If we have not sufficient faith in the truth as a whole, to lead us to live it out in every particular, what will sustain us in the final trial which is just before us. If our faith is not strong enough to cause us to separate ourselves from an unbelieving and sinful world, what will we do when scoffs give place to scourgings, and imprisonment and death confront us to the face?

May God increase our faith. Let the fearful and faltering put on courage, knowing that the believing alone will be victorious. It is safe to believe the work which God is doing in these last days in fulfillment of his promises. Half believing, half doubting, is misery. In venturing wholly there is peace. R. F. COTTRELL.