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Strong in the Strength of God, September 4
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 17:3
.
There is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One
may read the Bible through, and yet fail to see its beauty or to comprehend its deep
and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind,
and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of
many chapters with no definite purpose in view, and no positive instruction gained.
Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it; fix the texts in your
memory. Even while you are walking the streets, you may read a passage, and
meditate upon it, thus fixing it in the mind.
The life of Christ, that gives life to the world, is in His Word. It was by His
word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea,
and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He
spoke the word of God, as He had spoken to all the prophets and teachers of the Old
Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ. It is our source of power.
As our physical life is sustained by food, so our spiritual life is sustained by the
Word of God. And every soul is to receive life from God’s Word for himself. As we
must eat for ourselves in order to receive nourishment, so we must receive the Word
for ourselves. We are not to obtain it merely through the medium of another mind.
Yes, the Word of God is the bread of life. Those who eat and digest this Word,
making it a part of every action and of every attribute of character, grow strong in
the strength of God. It gives immortal vigor to the soul, perfecting the experience
and bringing joys that will abide forever (
The Signs of the Times, June 25, 1902
).
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” It is not physical life that
is here specified, but eternal life, the life which is exclusively the property of God.
The Word, who was with God, and who was God, had this life. Physical life is
something which each individual received. It is not eternal or immortal; for God,
the Lifegiver, takes it again.... But the life of Christ was unborrowed. No one can
take this life from Him. “I lay it down of myself,” He said.... This life is not inherent
in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as
a free gift if he will believe in Christ as his personal Saviour. “This is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent” (
John 17:3
). This is the open fountain of life for the world (
The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 5, 1130
).
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