The New Life by Andrew

Andrew Murray on The New Life: Words of God for Young Disciples Text
"Faith is by the word." (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 4:12)
Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Think on what we have said of the heart as a temple, and of its two divisions. There is the outer court,
with the understanding as its gate or entrance. There is the innermost sanctuary, with the faith of the
heart as its entrance. There is a natural faith -- the historic faith -- which every man has; with this
must I first receive the word into my keeping and consideration. I must say to myself, "The word of
God is certainly true. I can make a stand upon it." Thus I bring the word into the outer court, and from
within the heart desire reaches out to it, seeking to receive it into the heart. The word now exercises
its divine power of life; it begins to grow and shoot out roots. As a seed which I place in the earth
sends forth roots and presses still deeper into the soil, the word presses inwardly into the holy place.
The word thus works true saving faith. (1 Thess. 2:13; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:23)
1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the
word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the
word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with
meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever.
Young Christian, pray understand this. The word is living and powerful; through the word you are
born again. The word works faith in you; through the word comes faith. Receive the word simply with
the thought that it will work in you. Keep yourselves occupied with the word, and give it time. The
word has a divine life in itself; carry it in your inmost parts, and it will work life in you. It will work
in you a faith strong and able for anything.
O be resolved then, pray, never to say, I cannot believe. You can believe. You have the Spirit of God
in you. Even the natural man can say, This word of God is certainly true or certainly not true. And
when he with a desire of the soul says, "It is true; I will believe it," the living Spirit, through whom
the word is living and powerful, works this living faith. Besides, the Spirit is not only in the word, but
also in you. Although you do not feel as if you were believing, know for certain you can believe.
(Deut. 32:46,47; Josh. 1:7,9)
De 32:46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you
this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
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