We feel it very needful, just now, to press upon the attention of our readers the authority and value of the word of God, together with the efficacy of faith in that word, apart from, and above, all human thoughts and feelings, reasonings and speculations, traditions and dogmas. We do not know that we could more effectually serve the souls of men than by seeking to raise in their estimation the pure word of God, as that which alone can give divine fixedness to all their convictions, and stability to their character and course. There is not, in all the world, a more precious and profitable mixture, than that which is made up of faith and the word of God. Very many seem to put feeling in the place of faith. This is a mistake. The apostle does not speak of mixing the word of God with feeling, but with faith. The word of God is sufficient of itself, if simply believed, to give peace to the heart. If I must add feeling to that word, in order to make it efficacious, then, instead of making it efficacious, I make it null and void.
Take an example. God has declared (Gen. 9) that He will not again destroy the earth by a flood. Do I need to add feeling to this, in order to assure me of its truth? Is not the divine statement quite sufficient, when believed, to set the heart at rest, with respect to another deluge? Assuredly it is; and hence, were it to rain in torrents for months together, the heart would never be troubled with a single anxious thought on the subject. Well, “the same word” that assures me that the world will never again be “overflowed with water,” declares that it is “reserved unto fire.” The one is as true as the other. Human feelings have nothing whatever to do with either. The word of God is the authority for both, and that word only needs to be “mixed with faith” in order that it may “profit” the soul.
Thus it is, in reference to “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord.” It only needs to be “mixed with faith.” It does not need our feelings in order to make it true; it is true in itself. Every word of God is true, and faith receives it as such. Feeling is not the foundation of faith. The word of God is the foundation, and feeling is merely a fruit. God tells me I am a lost sinner; I believe. God tells me that Christ came to save such; I believe. God tells me that Christ died and rose again the third day; I believe. God tells me that all who believe that Christ died and rose again “have eternal life,” and “are justified from all things;” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24); Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39).) I believe. God tells me that being justified by faith, I have peace; (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).) I believe. God tells me that “if any man be in Christ he is a new creation;” (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).) I believe. God tells me that I am crucified, dead, buried, and risen with Christ; (Eph. 2:5, 65Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:5‑6); Col. 2:11-13; 3:1-311In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:11‑13)
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1‑3).) I believe. What more do I want? Shall I look in upon my poor faltering heart and fluctuating feelings, in order to find something which will confirm, substantiate, and render efficacious, the word of the living and true God? Alas! this is precisely what thousands are doing, and herein lies the secret of the sickly Christianity so prevalent on all hands. The precious mixture of Heb. 4:2,2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2) has been tampered with. One of the ingredients has been removed, and a spurious material put in its place. “The word preached” is “mixed with” feeling instead of “faith” and hence it cannot “profit.”