August 29

Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. — MATT. xvi. 16.

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. — JOHN vi. 29.

THUS our blessed Lord answered the people's eager question, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Eternal life, then, cannot be obtained, as the people supposed, by "works," at all; but only by faith. To "believe on him whom he hath sent" is our one primary work, and without it no other work can be acceptable to him. A tireless following of Christ for loaves and fishes is not "the work of God," nor a wondering admiration of his peerless character and life, nor yet, even, a fervent prophesying in his name and a working again of his greatest miracles. We must begin with, "I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." The sole object of our faith, Jesus must also be all to our faith, — our "wis- dom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption."

But "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." As the body needs the spirit, and trees need foliage and fruit to proclaim life, so the Christian must justify his faith to others by bringing forth the "things that accompany salvation." Indeed, where there is a true saving faith, its "works" will be as spontaneous as the clear streams which flow softly from a living fountain.

Haley Moore,

My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine!

Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away. Oh, let me from this day Be wholly thine.

RAY PALMER.