II. Its Antecedents
II. Its Antecedents
1. An unequivocal experience of saving faith
There are no possibilities of faith in its higher degrees without saving faith attained and maintained. Torenounce or undervalue saving faith, renders the fullness of faith impossible: For we are partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Fullness of faith is saving faith expanded by the power of the Holy Ghost until it sweeps vast areas of divine blessing beyond the range of saving grace. George Muller, the founder of the Bristol orphanages, says he finds no difference in kind between the faith by which he trusts Christ to save his soul, and that by which he trusts God to feed, clothe, and shelter two thousand orphans. It is only saving faith given a wider range. Faith in its saving virtue is the germ faith in its fullness is the fruit. There must be first the blade of saving faith, then the ear of fullness of faith. The believer who would attain the grace of faith in its fullness must cry out: Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
2. The consecration of saving faith
To God An indispensable antecedent to the attainment of a fullness of faith is to put the talent of saving faith on the altar of God, as one of the powers of the soul made alive to him, to be transformed by the renewing of the Holy Ghost into a stature of fullness.
That faith by which the convert, or babe in Christ, feebly clings to the cross a faith so weak that it barely brings the peace of pardon, consecrated to God may transmigrate suddenly from a faith that saves into a faith which brings full assurance and a glorious apprehension of things not seen. Saving faith given to God unfolds into a fullness of faith.
3. The exercise of saving faith
Saving faith is the only spiritual capability whose exercise can bring the fullness of faith. The faith which claims Christ as a Savior has only to receive him as the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost, and, lo! the promise of the Father descends; faith bursts into unclouded vision; its perfectness is come.
There are many who sigh over their infantile, weak, wavering faith, who, would they but use it in laying hold of some such promise as How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, would find it lifted into power and glory. By faith, faiths increase we claim.
Dear reader, may the Lord perfect
that which is lacking in your faith
Spirit of Faith, come down:
Reveal the things of God.