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Nature Imperfectly Reveals God, October 29
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it
pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1
Corinthians 1:21
.
The existence of a personal God, the unity of Christ with His Father, lies at
the foundation of all true science. From nature we can gain only an imperfect idea
of the greatness and majesty of God. We see the working of His power and His
wisdom, but He Himself is beyond our comprehension. The ocean, the cataract,
the lofty, rugged mountains reveal but imperfectly His handiwork. Satan has
introduced confusion and deformity into the creation of God. Something more
than nature is needed to reveal the character of the Father.
Christ came to this earth to reveal what finite minds can comprehend of the
glory of God. He came to unite divinity and humanity, that through Him, with
character made perfect, human beings might at last behold God in the fullness
of His glory. Through the merits of the sacrifice He has made, we may become
“partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust” (
2 Peter 1:4
). The bright beams of divinity pass through Christ to
His followers. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (
John 1:12
)....
In these days, many deceptions are being taught as truth. Some of our brethren
have taught views which we cannot endorse. Fanciful ideas, strained and peculiar
interpretations of the Scripture, are coming in. Some of these teachings may
seem to be but jots and tittles now, but they will grow and become snares to the
inexperienced....
We need to search the Scriptures daily, that we may know the way of the
Lord, and that we be not deceived by religious fallacies. The world is full of false
theories and seductive spiritualistic ideas, which tend to destroy clear spiritual
perception, and to lead away from truth and holiness. Especially at this time do
we need to heed the warning, “Let no man deceive you with vain words.”
We must be careful lest we misinterpret the Scriptures. The plain teachings
of the Word of God are not to be so spiritualized that the reality is lost sight of.
Do not overstrain the meaning of sentences in the Bible in an effort to bring forth
something odd in order to please the fancy. Take the Scriptures as they read. Avoid
idle speculation.—
Manuscript 30, October 29, 1904
, “Redeem the Time.”
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