Page 203 - That I May Know Him (1964)

Wisdom From the Father of Light, July 6
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and understanding. Proverbs 2:6.
The great and essential knowledge is the knowledge of God and His
Word.... The Christian will grow in grace just in proportion as he depends
upon and appreciates the teaching of the Word of God, and habituates
himself to meditate upon divine things....
But let no one imagine that we would discourage education or put a low
estimate upon the value of mental culture and discipline. God would have
us students as long as we remain in this world, ever learning and bearing
responsibility.... But no one should set himself as a critic to measure the
usefulness and influence of his brother who has had few advantages in
obtaining book knowledge. He may be rich in a rarer wisdom. He may
have a practical education in the knowledge of the truth. Says the psalmist,
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the
simple” (Psalm 119:130).... The wisdom spoken of by the psalmist is
that which is attained when the truth is opened to the mind and applied
to the heart by the Spirit of God, when its principles are wrought into the
character by a life of practical godliness....
It is the Spirit of God that quickens the lifeless faculties of the soul to
appreciate heavenly things, and attracts the affections toward God and the
truth. Without the presence of Jesus in the heart, religious service is only
dead, cold formalism. The longing desire for communion with God soon
ceases when the Spirit of God is grieved from us, but when Christ is in us
the hope of glory, we are constantly directed to think and act in reference
to the glory of God. The questions will arise, “Will this do honor to Jesus?
Will this be approved of by Him? Shall I be able to maintain my integrity
if I enter into this arrangement?” God will be made the counselor of the
soul, and we shall be led into safe paths, and the will of God will be made
the supreme guide of our lives. This is heavenly wisdom, ... and it makes
the Christian, however humble, the light of the world .9 [194]
9 The Review and Herald, April 17, 1888.
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