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Making Your Trial Balance, March 25
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
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Brethren, we must sink the shaft deep in the mine of truth. You may
question matters with yourselves and with one another, if you only do it in
the right spirit; but too often self is large, and as soon as investigation begins,
an unchristian spirit is manifested. This is just what Satan delights in, but we
should come with a humble heart to know for ourselves what is truth. The
time is coming when we shall be separated and scattered, and each one of
us will have to stand without the privilege of communion with those of like
precious faith; and how can you stand unless God is by your side, and you
know that He is leading and guiding you? Whenever we come to investigate
Bible truth, the Master of assemblies is with us. The Lord does not leave the
ship one moment to be steered by ignorant pilots. We may receive our orders
from the Captain of our salvation....
If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought
to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his
side. We should all know what is being taught among us, for if it is truth,
we need to know it. The Sabbath school teacher needs to know it, and every
Sabbath school scholar ought to understand it. We are all under obligation
to God to know what He sends to us. He has given directions by which we
may test every doctrine—“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not
according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (
Isaiah 8:20
).
But if it is according to this test, do not be so full of prejudice that you cannot
acknowledge a point when it is proved to you, simply because it does not
agree with your ideas.
Do not catch at every objection, however small, and make it as large as
possible, and preserve it for future use. No one has said that we shall find
perfection in any man’s investigations, but this I do know, that our churches
are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in
Christ, and for kindred truths.
No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it
in the meekness of Christ.—
The Review and Herald, March 25, 1890
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