Perhaps this lesson might be better titled Exercising Faith since we never generate faith ourselves. As the SS Quarterly itself says: It’s not something we can generate ourselves, for “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3), and faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, faith is a gift that God has given everyone, but that does not mean that everyone is exercising faith in God.

Yet exercising faith is not a mere mental assent to a doctrine or a group of doctrines, or even to the existence of God/Jesus/Spirit. Faith that saves is a heartfelt trust in the LORD.

Exercising faith toward God is done when we take God at His word. Scripture repeatedly says that God is good! Good to others and good to us! When we are convicted that this is so, when we trust that this is so and thus live our lives accordingly, then we are exercising faith in God.

A preference describes something I like. A conviction describes something I cannot live without. When we are convicted that God is good, we would die before surrendering our trust in God’s goodness!

Even though we do not create or generate faith, we are responsible for exercising it, as Romans tell us:

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

Ellen White wrote plainly:

Where there is not only a belief in God’s Word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith, faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Steps to Christ, 63:2

Yet the character of our submission to God is different than often imagined!

The government of God is not, as Satan would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission, and unreasoning control. It appeals to the intellect and the conscience. Steps to Christ 43:4

We must also be firm regarding the true nature of faith:

Through faith we receive the grace of God; but faith is not our Savior. It earns nothing. It is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ, and appropriate His merits, the remedy for sin. The Desire of Ages 175:4

All too often church people speak about how faith works or prayer works, as if faith or prayer is really creating the positive outcome for them. No! It is God who is doing good for us, in response to our faith or to our prayers.

What about signs? Are they the best evidence for establishing one’s faith? Is asking for a sign itself evidence that one doubts God more than one trusts God? Does God give signs? Sometimes, but not always. Why not?
If our hearts are opposed to what God wants for us a sign from God will likely do us more harm than good. In other words, if we’re already resisting God, we will also be more inclined to resist the sign that God gives, thus hardening our heart against God even more.

God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His Word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Steps to Christ, 105:2

As a worker, Christ did not allow his labor to be of a character merely to satisfy curiosity or to give such demonstrations of truth as to make doubt impossible. He came to open the treasures of heaven, that others might search and find. The Youth Instructor, October 27, 1898

Question

Why do you think God has never removed the possibility of doubt?

What about feelings?

You must guard against making feelings a criterion; this of itself is not evidence that you are a child of God, or that you are not. The Youth Instructor, August 18, 1886

Many pass long years in darkness and doubt because they do not feel as they desire. But feeling has nothing to do with faith. That faith which works by love and purifies the soul is not a matter of impulse. It ventures out upon the promises of God, firmly believing that what he has said, he is able also to perform. Our souls may be trained to believe, taught to rely upon the word of God. That word declares that the “just shall live by faith,” not by feeling. The Youth Instructor, July 8, 1897

Not one of us needs to feel a doubt as to where we are, or to think, “I wish I knew where I stand before God,” but, by living faith, we must sink ourselves in God; and when we do that, His life will shine upon us. Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1: 304:3

A feeling of assurance is not to be despised; we should praise God for it; but when your feelings are depressed, do not think God has changed. Praise Him just as much, because you trust in His Word and not in feelings. You have covenanted to walk by faith, not to be controlled by feelings. Feelings vary with circumstances. 6Lt 42, 1890, par. 12

Question

Does this mean that God does not care about how we feel?

What Bible passages teach that God does care about our feelings?

Would you rather die than give up your conviction that God is good?