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192
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
ples might be sanctified through the truth, and He says, “Thy word
is truth;” while the psalmist declares, “Thy law is the truth.” All
whom God is leading will manifest a high regard for the Scriptures
in which His voice is heard. The Bible will be to them “profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works.” “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” We need no other
evidence in order to judge of men’s sanctification; if they are fearful
lest they shall not obey the whole will of God, if they are listening
diligently to His voice, trusting in His wisdom, and making His
Word the man of their counsel, then, while they make no boasts of
superior goodness, we may be sure that they are seeking to attain to
perfection of Christian character. But if the claimants of holiness
even intimate that they are no longer required to search the Scrip-
tures, we need not hesitate to pronounce their sanctification spurious.
They are leaning to their own understanding, instead of conforming
to the will of God (
The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886
).
Obey God’s Requirements
—The truth as it is in Jesus is obe-
dience to every precept of Jehovah. It is heart work. Bible sanctifica-
tion is not the spurious sanctification of today, which will not search
the Scriptures, but trusts to good feelings and impulses rather than
to the seeking for truth as for hidden treasure. Bible sanctification is
to know the requirements of God and to obey them. There is a pure
and holy heaven in store for those who keep God’s commandments.
It is worth lifelong, persevering, untiring effort. Satan is on your
right hand and on your left; he is before and behind; he has a dish of
fables cooked up for every soul who is not cherishing the truth as
it is in Jesus. The destroyer is upon you to palsy your every effort.
But there is a crown of life to be won, a life that measures with the
life of God (
Manuscript 58, 1897
).
The truth if received is capable of constant expansion and new
developments. It will increase in brightness as we behold it, and
grow in height and depth as we aspire to grasp it. Thus it will elevate
us to the standard of perfection, and give us faith and trust in God as
our strength for the work before us (
Manuscript 153, 1898
).
(
Hebrews 4:12
.) No Soft Tread
—The truth is the truth. It is not
to be wrapped up in beautiful adornings, that the outside appearance
may be admired. The teacher is to make the truth clear and forcible