Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.
Adam Clarke
VIII.—FAITH.
"FAITH is the substance of things hoped for:"—Faith is the subsistence
of things hoped for; the demonstration of things not seen. The word
which we translate "substance," signifies "subsistence," "that which
becomes a foundation for another thing to stand on." And
signifies such a conviction as is produced in the mind by the
demonstration of a problem, after which demonstration no doubt can
remain, because we see from it that the thing is; that it cannot but be; and
that it cannot be otherwise than as it is, and is proved to be. Such is the
faith by which the soul is justified; or, rather, such are the effects of
justifying faith: on it subsists the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding; and the love of God is shed abroad in the heart where it
lives, by the Holy Ghost. At the same time the spirit of God witnesses
with their spirits who have this faith that their sins are blotted out; and
this is as fully manifest to their judgment and conscience, as the axioms,
"A whole is greater than any of its parts:" "Equal lines and angles, being
placed on one another, do not exceed each other."
To provide a Saviour, and the means of salvation, is God's part; to
accept this Saviour, laying hold on the hope set before us, is ours. Those
who refuse the way and means of salvation must perish; those who accept
of the great covenant sacrifice cannot perish, but shall have eternal life.
It is one of the least evils attending unbelief, that it acts not only in
opposition to God, but it also acts inconsistently with itself. It receives the
Scriptures in bulk, and acknowledges them to have come through divine
inspiration; and yet believes no part separately. With it the whole is true,
but no part is true. The very unreasonableness of this conduct shows the
principle to have come from beneath, were there no other evidences
against it.