Chapter 83—Persevering Effort in Bible Study
“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.”
To search means to look diligently for something which has been lost.
Search for the hidden treasures in God’s word. You cannot afford
to be without them. Study the difficult passages, comparing verse
with verse, and you will find that scripture is the key which unlocks
scripture.
Those who prayerfully study the Bible go from each search wiser
than they were before. Some of their difficulties have been solved; for
the Holy Spirit has done the work spoken of in the fourteenth chapter
of John: “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Nothing worth having is obtained without earnest, persevering
effort. In business, only those who have a will to do see successful
results. Without earnest toil we cannot expect to obtain a knowledge
of spiritual things. Those who obtain the jewels of truth must dig for
them as a miner digs for the precious ore hidden in the earth.
Those who work indifferently and half-heartedly will never suc-
ceed. Young and old should read the word of God; and not only should
they read it, but they should study it with diligent earnestness, praying,
believing, and searching. Thus they will find the hidden treasure; for
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the Lord will quicken their understanding.
Open-Mindedness
In your study of the word, lay at the door of investigation your
preconceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You
will never reach the truth if you study the Scriptures to vindicate your
own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to
hear what the Lord has to say to you. As the humble seeker for truth sits
at Christ’s feet, and learns of Him, the word gives him understanding.
To those who are too wise in their own conceit to study the Bible,
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