This modern adaptation of Ward’s sermon on faith rings just as true in this century as it did in his. Ward explains the meaning and necessity of utilizing faith, claiming that not using faith is almost as bad as not having it. Ward emphasizes that this faith must in Christ for it to be effective, and although we will not arrive at perfection in this life, living faith can take us farther than we might think.

Did Christ come from heaven to cure only small scars and cuts? Are not the deep serious wounds that are longstanding included? He can cast out, not only solitary devils, but legions also! Oh take heed, and take your eyes off yourself and look upon Christ. [14]

If you say you have faith and live a life of sadness, I will not believe you. [28]

He showed himself the Son of God, not by coming down from the cross, but by enduring it. If you wish to be his disciple, the first lesson in his school is Christ’s cross. Deny yourself, take it up, and follow Him. [48]

Have you spent half an hour, or fifteen minutes, in exercising your faith? Have you been troubled about many things, and allowed the only needful thing to be forgotten? Have you wasted a day, or a week, or the month past, and starved your soul of this refreshment? [54]

Close up the eye of your soul to worldly things. Fix your spiritual eye upon heavenly delights. You do not need to go out of the world or into a hermit’s seclusion from society, but even in the midst of the glittering objects that would draw your gaze, see them as if you did not see them; that is, without being deeply affected by them. [60] 

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