Cultivating Faith

by A.T. Jones

Introduction

Without faith it is impossible to please God. The reason for this is that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23), and of course sin can not please God.
 
This is why it is that, as stated by the Spirit of prophecy on the first page of the Review, Oct. 18, 1898, "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."

And for this cause we shall hereafter, in this place in each number of the Review give a Scripture lesson on faith—what it is, how it comes, how to exercise it,—that every reader of this paper may have this knowledge that "is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired."
A. T. Jones.

The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 75, No. 48, November 29, 1898, p. 766.

—————

The statement above ("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.") was made by Ellen G. White at a Week of Prayer while in Australia. The paragraph is here in its entirety:
 
"At nine o'clock I attended a meeting of the students in the school chapel. About eighty were present, and the room was full. An hour was occupied in reading, and in talking to them about the necessity of their understanding how to exercise faith. This is the science of the gospel. The Scripture declares, " Without faith it is impossible to please God." 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. We suffer much trouble and grief because of our unbelief, and our ignorance of how to exercise faith. We must break through the clouds of unbelief. We can not have a healthy Christian experience, we can not obey the gospel unto salvation, until the science of faith is better understood, and until more faith is exercised. There can be no perfection of Christian character without that faith that works by love, and purifies the soul." Ellen G. White.
 
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 75, No. 41, October 18, 1898, p. 661.