AS ONE examines the New Testament he encounters over and over again the element of faith. Indeed, fundamental Christians would conclude that man is saved through his faith (Eph. 2:8). Seventh-day Adventists readily adhere to this very basic tenet of Christianity. Point 2 of the baptismal vow reads:
I accept the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as an atoning sacrifice for my sins and believe that through faith in His shed blood men are saved from sin and its penalty. (Emphasis supplied.)
Under the "Summary of Doctrinal Beliefs" in our baptismal certificate we've made this statement:
Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Godhead, and the eternal Son of God, is the only Saviour from sin; and man's salvation is by grace through faith in Him. (Emphasis supplied.)
I'm sure we would all agree that the basic necessity for being saved is this element called faith. This being so, it would seem most important that we understand the meaning of the term "faith."
One of the clearest and most complete definitions of faith is that found in the book Education by Ellen G. White on page 253:
Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, our selves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, have been pointed out as secrets of life's success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these principles.
Evidently faith suggests an attitude toward God of such trust and confidence that one is willing to do whatever He says because we believe "that He loves us and knows best what is for our good." And not only does He know best, but He wants the best for us.
Faith, Not Rebellion
The man of faith (i.e., the one being saved) has this attitude toward God when ever he is confronted with God's revelations, counsel, or commands. The man of faith does not rebel at God's words, for he trusts God. He believes God loves him. He believes God is interested in his personal welfare.
When such a person comes in contact with God's revelations he rejoices. He accepts God's counsel in a mature manner. He accepts God's wisdom. Instead of being apprehensive of God's revelations, he welcomes such simply because he believes God loves him and wants only what is best for him.
The man of faith will also have a desire to search for God's directives. He will be eager to learn of God's will for his life. When he discovers God's directives or revelations he will approach them with the expectation of good things to come. "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11). When the man of faith discovers directives not in accord with his present practices "he accepts God's wisdom in place of his own ignorance." Faith leads him to align his life with God's prescribed way because faith is a relationship of trust and abiding confidence in Him who loves us and wants the best for us. "It leads us to choose His way." The man of faith simply feels he is better off following God's directives.
To rebel against God's plain declarations either verbally or in silent practice is to declare that one does not trust God. And the apostle Paul reminds us "whatsoever is not of faith [trusting God, believing He loves us] is sin" (Rom. 14:23).
God's Directions Not Restrictions
The man of faith does not look upon God's directions as restrictions, but as beneficial suggestions from One who is concerned, from One who really cares.
After much investigation I have come to the conclusion that the Bible is truly God's Inspired Word. With this confidence I can read the Bible with joy, reverence, and with the expectation of receiving good things. I have confidence that whatever God asks is for my temporal benefit and eternal welfare.
In the same manner, after much study of the nature and content of the writings of Ellen G. White, I have concluded that God's Spirit guided in these writings. I believe they speak for themselves. I believe they are inspired. I believe that in them God's wishes for His children have been written and that they are for our benefit.
In both the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White, God has revealed Himself in such a way as to elicit a response of love, trust, and deep admiration. He is revealed in the life of Jesus as one who is deeply concerned for us. He is pictured as a Shepherd who cares for His sheep, as a Father who loves His children. With this understanding of God, should it be difficult to trust Him?
If we love Him, if we trust Him, if we've learned to have faith in Him, then the only prerequisites in doing His will should be in knowing His will. When He has spoken so plainly, none need misunderstand or be ignorant of His will. This is certainly true on the subject of vegetarianism. How plain are the following statements from the book Counsels on Diet and Foods, by Ellen G. White.
Only one lease of life is granted us; and the inquiry with every one should be, "How can I invest my powers so that they may yield the greatest profit? How can I do most for the glory of God and the benefit of my fellow men?" For life is valuable only as it is used for the attainment of these ends.—Page 15.
Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design—that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth.—Page 380.
Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God's original purpose in the creation of man.—Page 380.
It is for their own good that the Lord counsels the remnant church to discard the use of flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and other harmful foods. —Page 381.
Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it.—Pages 380, 381. The meat diet is the serious question. Shall human beings live on the flesh of dead animals? The answer, from the light that God has given is, No, decidedly No.—Page 388.
A religious life can be more successfully gained and maintained if meat is discarded, for this diet stimulates into intense activity lustful propensities, and enfeebles the moral and spiritual nature.— Page 389.
If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple kind, it is now. Meat should not be placed before our children. Its influence is to excite and strengthen the lower passions, and has a tendency to deaden the moral powers.— Pages 389, 390.'
When the man of faith recognizes the source of any directive as being from God, and rightly understands the specific nature of the counsel, he gladly submits to God's leading. He prays for strength to follow God's leading.
Man is not saved by his weight. Man is not saved because of his state of health. Man is not saved because of his physical endowments. Man is saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Faith is trusting God —believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good."
