Belief is in a sense passive, an agreement or acceptance only; faith is active and positive, embracing such reliance and confidence as will lead to works. Faith in Christ comprises belief in Him, combined with trust in Him. One cannot have faith without belief; yet he may believe and still lack faith. Faith is vivified, vitalized, living belief.
Interpretation
Belief is simply accepting something, while faith involves trust and action.
In this quote, James E. Talmage distinguishes between belief and faith, emphasizing that belief is a passive acceptance of ideas, whereas faith is an active, living expression that drives one to take action based on that belief. He asserts that genuine faith requires a deeper, more dynamic relationship with what one believes, particularly in the context of faith in Christ, which integrates belief with trust and proactive commitment.
In practice
In a seminar on personal development, this quote can be used to emphasize the difference between simply believing in one's abilities and having the faith to take action.
I remember that grand word of the Katha Upanishad - Shraddhâ or marvellous faith. An instance of Shraddha can be found in the life of Nachiketâ. To preach the doctrine of Shraddha or genuine faith is the mission of my life. Let me repeat to you that this faith is one of the potent factors of humanity and of all religions. First, have faith in yourselves.
Call a thing immoral or ugly, soul-destroying or a degradation to man, a peril to the peace of the world or to the well-being of future generations: as long as you have not shown it to be "uneconomic" you have not really questioned its right to exist, grow, and prosper.
You can't shake hands with a closed fist.
All men are by nature born equally free and independent.
Hamilton had one of those extraordinary 18th-century minds that touched on virtually every major topic of the day.
This is the book I never read ~ These are the words I never said ~ This is the path I'll never tread ~ These are the dreams I'll dream instead
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