The Science of Cultivating Faith - No.16

No. 16

The righteousness of God is his own character: it is himself. 

 This is one of the only two things that the children of men can profitably seek: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."

This righteousness is not attained by exertion: it is received by revelation. In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed. Rom. 1:16, 17. 

Anything that is a revelation can be received by man only through his believing. The righteousness of God coming to men only by revelation can be received by men only through faith. 

Therefore it is written that in the gospel not only "is the righteousness of God of God revealed," but it is manifested (revealed) "by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference." Rom. 3:21, 22. 

And not only is the righteousness of God revealed to faith; it is revealed not alone to the measure of faith that you have to begin with; but also to faith beyond that—to greater faith. 

That is to say, the revelation of the righteousness of God to faith to begin with, and to the measure of faith with which you begin, causes that faith to grow,—causes that measure to expand into greater faith; and then the righteousness of God is revealed more largely than before, to this greatly increased measure of faith.

On the other hand, the very exercise of the faith that you have to begin with in receiving the righteousness of God, causes that faith to grow. And in the very nature of the case, as the faith has grown, and there is a larger measure of it, there is larger room for the revelation of the righteousness of God. And there being a larger measure of faith, and the righteousness of God being revealed to faith, it is plain that more of the righteousness of God is revealed and received.

Thus with faith being caused to grow by the expansive power of the righteousness of God received, and also by virtue of the exercise of the faith itself, it is easy to see both the truth and the "how" of it that "faith growth exceedingly." 

And, bless the Lord, however exceedingly faith may grow, the righteousness of God is revealed to the soul to the fullest measure of that exceedingly grown and growing faith.

And this revelation and this growth will never cease to him that believeth. Faith is of God; it is divine, and is capable of eternal growth. The righteousness of God is inexhaustible, and so will be eternally revealed more fully to the eternally growing faith. 

To him that believeth this is true,—he grows "in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;" and thus grace and peace is multiplied, and will be eternally "multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." For "the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." Isa. 32:17. 

Such is the way, the blessing, and the joy of the exercise of faith. And this is why it is that "the knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith, is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired." 

This is the science of faith. And there is no higher, richer, nor nobler science. 

"Hast thou faith?" Have the faith of God. "Here are they that keep" "the faith of Jesus."

A. T. Jones.
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 76, No. 12, March 21, 1899, p. 184.
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