Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 19

12. What in the early church showed living faith?

"Remembering without ceasing your _work of faith_, and labor of love." 1 Thess. 1:3.

13. What is necessary in order that the preaching of the gospel may be profitable?

"For 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." Heb. 4:2.

14. What is the character of any act or service not performed in faith?

"Whatsoever is not of faith is _sin_." Rom. 14:23.

15. How does Abraham's experience show that obedience and faith are inseparable?

"_By faith Abraham_, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, _obeyed_; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Heb. 11:8.

16. With what, therefore, is the faith of Jesus joined?

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep _the commandments of G.o.d_, and _the faith of Jesus_." Rev. 14:12.

17. In what other statement is the same truth emphasized?

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that _faith without works is dead_?"

James 2:20.

18. How is faith brought to perfection?

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and _by works was faith made perfect_?" Verse 22.

19. What is the result of faith's being put to the test?

"The trying of your faith _worketh patience_." James 1:3.

20. What relations.h.i.+p to G.o.d is established by faith?

"For ye are all the _children of G.o.d by faith_ in Christ Jesus." Gal.

3:26.

21. How do the children of G.o.d walk?

"For _we walk by faith_, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7.

22. Upon what condition may one expect answers to prayer?

"But _let him ask in faith_, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James 1:6.

23. To what parts of the ancient armor is faith compared?

"Above all, taking the _s.h.i.+eld_ of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16. "Putting on the _breastplate_ of faith and love." 1 Thess. 5:8.

24. What chapter in the Bible is devoted to faith?

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews. In verses 33-38 are summarized the victories of the heroes of faith.

25. What gives victory in our conflicts with the world?

"This is the victory that overcometh the world, _even our faith_." 1 John 5:4.

26. What is the ultimate purpose of faith?

"Receiving the end of your faith, even _the salvation of your souls_." 1 Peter 1:8, 9.

'Tis by the faith of joys to come We walk through deserts dark as night; Till we arrive at heaven, our home, Truth is our guide, and faith our light.

The want of sight she well supplies; She makes the pearly gates appear; Far into distant worlds she pries, And brings eternal glories near.

Though lions roar, and tempests blow, And rocks and dangers fill the way, With joy we tread the desert through, While faith inspires a heavenly ray.

ISAAC WATTS

Hope

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Return Of The Dove. "Blessed be G.o.d ... which ... hath begotten us again unto a lively hope." 1 Peter 1:3.

1. What is the relation between faith and hope?

"Now faith is the _substance_ of things _hoped for_, the evidence of things not seen." Heb. 11:1.

2. Why were the Scriptures written?

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, _that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope_." Rom. 15:4.

3. Why should G.o.d's wonderful works be rehea.r.s.ed to the children?

"We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.... _That they might set their hope in G.o.d_, and not forget the works of G.o.d, but keep His commandments." Ps. 78:4-7.

4. In what condition are those who are without Christ?

"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, ...

that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, _having no hope_, and without G.o.d in the world." Eph. 2:11, 12.