Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 7
September 22, 1955
NUMBER 20, PAGE 12

Faith

Charles Hodge, Ennis, Texas

All will concur that faith is an elusive subject; it is more eulogized than analyzed. Midst the denominational world the misunderstanding of faith amounts to wholesale blasphemy; midst the brotherhood the misunderstanding results in grotesque neglect and failure. Faith is so simple, yet misunderstood; so vital yet scarce; so needed yet not found.

Paul said faith is simply assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Faith is conviction, confidence, and assurance in things promised but not seen. It is opposed to opinion, reason, and reality. Spiritual faith is complete confidence in God's word (Rom. 10:17). From Heb. 11:6 the reader concludes the aspects of faith are mental assent, wholehearted trust, and complete obedience. Paul further states Christians live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Faith ventures securely into the realm of the unknown believing in the perfection and completeness of the Bible.

"Baptism for the remission of sins" has been preached since Pentecost, yet few of the myriads have obeyed it. Why? They cannot see any logical reason for the act. They teach the essentiality of faith, repentance, and even confession. Why? They can by their own rationalizing see a good, logical reason. They know God would not save an infidel, mutineer, nor rejector. What is faith if we can reason the thing out? There is more dependence in mind than heart. They refuse to do what they cannot rationalize. Faith is that when you cannot see, hear, nor reason. Consider Abraham's offering of Isaac; he would sin (murder) simply because God told him so. To further illustrate. Faith is best seen when one lies down on the operating table awaiting surgery. He is helpless, hapless, and sometimes hopeless. His faith is secure in the attending physician. This is the kind of faith we need in God today! We need to lie down on his operating table that He might cure, forgive, and restore.

But we do not! We invent unto ourselves methods and manners not prescribed by the Doctor of Heaven. Paul Williams wrote stating his problem came by doing Bible work in a Bible way. Our brethren deny the plan of God yet trusting their own. May God help them! Some say: "no preaching would be done," "the end justifies the means," "why quibble over a little how." Never have I heard a disciple of the modern school say; "What does God teach," "What does the Bible say?" The former is not faith; it is doubt, fear, and rebellion. Why can't we evangelize and do benevolence like the early church? Why innovate these centralized, promotional schemes contrary to the Bible? Doesn't God's way suffice? Will it not work ? Do you believe in the power of God? Brethrenerr not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.

Others follow the crowd; yes, the majority of "big preachers" endorse it. Thousands of years ago the ratio was 10 to 2 or 5 to 1. The people believed the majority and died in the wilderness. They doubted the power of God. Brethren, it will not work!

Back to the operating room; many are knocking the doctor (God) in the head and operating upon themselves. We have been preaching "calling Bible things Bible names" and "doing Bible things Bible ways" long enough — it is time we started practicing! The world is doomed; the church is sick! Let us return to God's Will, Manner, and Way! Until this day, the church will continue on its way to apostasy, modernism, and ruin. Let us visualize the plan of God and turn our faith loose!