The blessing of Scripture study

Christ has said: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.” The duty of searching the Scriptures is enjoined upon every son and daughter of Adam. Jesus says, “And they are they which testify of me.” The Father was revealed in the Son, and in studying Christ we shall learn of the Father. Then let us come to search the word of God with softened, subdued hearts, and read the testimony concerning our Lord and Master. Shall we not with intense interest seek to catch his spirit, copy his example, and breathe in the atmosphere of his presence, which is light and love? How eagerly should we study every lesson that fell from his divine lips! How we should cherish his instruction! How ardently we should seek to imitate his character and life, and press on to know more and more of the heavenly truths he taught. If we would but practice the truths he has given, we should perfect an experience that would be of the highest value to us, and to the world.
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The only way to truth

This is the only way. There can be no safety in contention of spirit in investigating points of truth, as it must be done in the spirit John had when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” More of Jesus, less of self. And as the investigation continues in the spirit of Christ it will be at last all of Jesus, none of self.

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Know Truth for Victory

Sola Scriptura

Let the word of God speak for itself; let it be its own interpreter, and the truth will shine like precious gems amid the rubbish.  {1888 196.1}

If our people depended much less upon preaching, and spent far more time on their knees before God, pleading for him to open their understanding to the truth of his word, that they might have a knowledge for themselves that their feet were standing on solid rock, angels of God would be around about them, to help them in their endeavors.  {1888 196.2}

 It is one thing to give assent to the truth, and another thing, through close examination as Bible students, to know what is truth. . . now is the time to take special pains to prepare ourselves to meet the temptations and emergencies which are just before us.  {1888 197.1}

Let every heart be subdued before God. Let there be a taking hold by living faith for victory over ourselves, victory over Satan.  {1888 197.3}

 

Address to participants in Week of Prayer – Battle creek MI, 12/15/1888

1888 Materials, Chap. 23, pp.196-

Call to deeper study

Let us take our Bibles, and with humble prayer and a teachable spirit, come to the great Teacher of the world; let us pray as did David, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

But all who reverence the Word of God just as it reads, all who do His will to the best of their ability, will know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to confuse minds and to make uncertain the Word of God.

Our greatest fear should be that we may be found rebelling against God’s Word, which is to be our guide amid all the perils of the last days.We must be sure that we are on the Lord’s side, that we have the truth as it is in Jesus.

We must have the power of God to soften and change the rugged traits of our character, that we may be susceptible to the influence of truth.

There are mines to be discovered in which are precious jewels of truth.Let no one close these mines, and cease to dig for the truth lest they should have to cast aside some preconceived idea or opinion.No, brethren, we want to know the truth; and God forbid that any of you should turn from precious truths simply because you do not want to believe them.

1888 Materials pp. 163-170

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