Chapter 4—Attitude to New Light
Maintaining Truth Not to Preclude New Light—It is a fact that
we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that
cannot be shaken; but we must not look with suspicion upon any new
light which God may send, and say, Really, we cannot see that we need
any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and
in which we are settled. While we hold to this position, the testimony
of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, “And knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing,
are in a condition of blindness as to their true condition before God,
and they know it not.—
The Review and Herald, August 7, 1894
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Led of God, but Not Infallible—We must not think, “Well, we
have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we
may rest on this knowledge.” The truth is an advancing truth, and we
must walk in the increasing light.
A brother asked, “Sister White, do you think we must understand
the truth for ourselves? Why can we not take the truths that others have
gathered together, and believe them because they have investigated the
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subjects, and then we shall be free to go on without the taxing of the
powers of the mind in the investigation of all these subjects? Do you
not think that these men who have brought out the truth in the past
were inspired of God?”
I dare not say they were not led of God, for Christ leads into all
truth; but when it comes to inspiration in the fullest sense of the word,
I answer, No. I believe that God has given them a work to do, but if
they are not fully consecrated to God at all times, they will weave self
and their peculiar traits of character into what they are doing, and will
put their mold upon the work, and fashion men in religious experience
after their own pattern. It is dangerous for us to make flesh our arm.
We should lean upon the arm of Infinite Power. God has been revealing
this to us for years. We must have living faith in our hearts and reach
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