Chapter 2—A School for Bible Study
Search the Scriptures
No man, woman, or youth can attain to Christian perfection and ne-
glect the study of the word of God. By carefully and closely searching
His word we shall obey the injunction of Christ, “Search the Scrip-
tures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of Me.” This search enables the student to observe closely the
divine Model, for they testify of Christ. The Pattern must be inspected
often and closely in order to imitate it. As one becomes acquainted
with the history of the Redeemer, he discovers in himself defects of
character; his unlikeness to Christ is so great that he sees he cannot be
a follower without a very great change in his life. Still he studies, with
a desire to be like his great Exemplar; he catches the looks, the spirit,
of his beloved Master; by beholding he becomes changed. “Looking
unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” ...
The word of God, spoken to the heart, has an animating power, and
those who will frame any excuse for neglecting to become acquainted
with it will neglect the claims of God in many respects. The character
will be deformed, the words and acts a reproach to the truth. The
apostle tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
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profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.” One of the prophets of God exclaims, “While
I was musing the fire burned.” If Christians would earnestly search
the Scriptures, more hearts would burn with the vivid truths therein
revealed. Their hopes would brighten with the precious promises
strown like pearls all through the Sacred Writings. In contemplating
the history of the patriarchs, the prophets, the men who loved and
feared God and walked with Him, hearts will glow with the spirit
which animated these worthies. As the mind dwells upon the virtue
and piety of holy men of old, the spirit which inspired them will kindle
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