"Seek Learning by Faith" by David A. Bednar
"Assurance, action, and evidence influence each
other in an ongoing process. This helix is like a coil,
and as it spirals upward it expands and grows wider.
These three elements of faith—assurance, action,
and evidence—are not separate and discrete; rather,
they are interrelated and continuous and cycle
upward. And the faith that fuels this ongoing
process develops and evolves and changes. As we
again turn and face forward toward an uncertain
future, assurance leads to action and produces
evidence, which further increases assurance. Our
confidence waxes stronger, line upon line, precept
upon precept, here a little and there a little.
We find a powerful example of the interaction among assurance, action, and evidence as the children of Israel transported the ark of the covenant under the leadership of Joshua (see Joshua 3:7–17). Recall how the Israelites came to the river Jordan and were promised the waters would part, or “stand upon an heap” (Joshua 3:13), and they would be able to cross over on dry ground. Interestingly, the waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen; rather, the soles of their feet were wet before the water parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. They walked into the river Jordan with a future-facing assurance of things hoped for. As the Israelites moved forward, the water parted, and as they crossed over on dry land, they looked back and beheld the evidence of things not seen. In this episode, faith as assurance led to action and produced the evidence of things not seen which were true.
We find a powerful example of the interaction among assurance, action, and evidence as the children of Israel transported the ark of the covenant under the leadership of Joshua (see Joshua 3:7–17). Recall how the Israelites came to the river Jordan and were promised the waters would part, or “stand upon an heap” (Joshua 3:13), and they would be able to cross over on dry ground. Interestingly, the waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen; rather, the soles of their feet were wet before the water parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. They walked into the river Jordan with a future-facing assurance of things hoped for. As the Israelites moved forward, the water parted, and as they crossed over on dry land, they looked back and beheld the evidence of things not seen. In this episode, faith as assurance led to action and produced the evidence of things not seen which were true.
True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ
and always leads to action. Faith as the principle of
action is highlighted in many scriptures with which
we are all familiar:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26; italics added).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22; italics added).
“But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith” (Alma 32:27; italics added).
And it is faith as the principle of action that is so central to the process of learning and applying spiritual truth."
Isn't this just great?
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26; italics added).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22; italics added).
“But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith” (Alma 32:27; italics added).
And it is faith as the principle of action that is so central to the process of learning and applying spiritual truth."
Isn't this just great?
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