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S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
world to listen, they were spellbound and entranced and conviction
came to their minds. Every word made for itself a place, and the
hearers believed and received the words that they had no power to
[1085]
resist. Every word He uttered seemed to the hearers as the life of
God. He was giving evidence that He was the light of the world and
the authority of the church, claiming pre-eminence over them all
(
Manuscript 118, 1905
).
13, 14 (
chs. 15:9
;
22:29
). Humble Men Are Salt of Earth
—In
His teachings, Christ likened His disciples to objects most familiar
to them. He compared them to salt and to light. “Ye are the salt of
the earth,” He said; “ye are the light of the world.” These words were
spoken to a few poor, humble fishermen. Priests and rabbis were in
that congregation of hearers, but these were not the ones addressed.
With all their learning, with all their supposed instruction in the
mysteries of the law, with all their claims of knowing God, they
revealed that they knew Him not. To these leading men had been
committed the oracles of God, but Christ declared them to be unsafe
teachers. He said to them, Ye teach for doctrine the commandments
of men. “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of
God.” Turning from these men to the humble fishermen, He said,
“Ye are the salt of the earth” (
The Review and Herald, August 22,
1899
).
No Self-originated Light
—The light that shines from those
who receive Jesus Christ is not self-originated. It is all from the
Light and Life of the world. He kindles this light, even as He
kindles the fire that all must use in doing His service. Christ is the
light, the life, the holiness, the sanctification of all who believe,
and His light is to be received and imparted in all good works. In
many different ways His grace is also acting as the salt of the earth;
whithersoever this salt finds its way, to homes or communities, it
becomes a preserving power to save all that is good, and to destroy
all that is evil (
The Review and Herald, August 22, 1899
).
17-19. Least Among Human Agencies
—[
Matthew 5:17-19
quoted.] This is the judgment pronounced in the kingdom of heaven.
Some have thought that the commandment breaker will be there, but
will occupy the lowest place. This is a mistake. Sinners will never
enter the abode of bliss. The commandment breaker, and all who
unite with him in teaching that it makes no difference whether men