[Sidenote: Rom. 1: 16. Heb. 11: 6.]
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
_believeth_; and "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." But what constitutes
the faith and belief named here? Is it a mere intellectual assent or
opinion? Must we also _do_ as well as _believe_?
[Sidenote: Genuine Belief.]
[Sidenote: John 17: 3. 1 John 2: 3, 4.]
The beloveth disciple writes: "And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent." Construe this statement with another passage of Scripture, "And
hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He
that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar,
{148} and the truth is not in him." The devils _believe_--and tremble.
James 2: 19.
[Sidenote: Matt. 28: 19, 20.]
Jesus said to his apostles: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you." The disciples were sent to teach all nations, and they
were instructed to enjoin obedience to "all things whatsoever" Christ
gave as commandments. His language is so comprehensive that no command
can be omitted.
[Sidenote: Gal. 3: 7.]
[Sidenote: John 8: 39.]
[Sidenote: Gen. 26: 5.]
[Sidenote: James 1: 22.]
"Know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the
children of Abraham." But, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do
the works of Abraham." "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept
my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." "But be ye doers
of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
[Sidenote: Faith and works.]
[Sidenote: James 2: 14-22.]
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and
have not works? can faith save him? But wilt thou know, O vain man,
that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified
by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou
how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
[Sidenote: Luke 6: 46.]
[Sidenote: Luke 11: 28.]
[Sidenote: John 14: 15-21.]
[Sidenote: Rev. 22: 14.]
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
"But he said, Yea, rather blessed are they that hear the word of God,
and keep it." "If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that
loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him." "Blessed are they that do his commandments,
that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through
the gates into the city." Salvation is won by the works of a lifetime.