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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
soul, and practice its principles in our life, teaching them to others
both by precept and example. Thus it will be evident to the world that
we have a connection with God and implicit confidence in His word. A
life of godliness, a daily example of integrity, meekness, and unselfish
love, will be a living exemplification of the teaching of God’s word,
and it will be an argument in favor of the Bible which few will be able
to resist. This will prove the most effectual check to the prevailing
tendency to skepticism and infidelity.
By faith we should look to the hereafter and grasp the pledge of
God of a growth of intellect, the human faculties uniting with the
divine, and every power of the soul being brought into direct contact
with the Source of light. We may rejoice that all that has perplexed
us in the providences of God will then be made plain; things hard to
be understood will find an explanation; and where our finite minds
discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most
perfect and beautiful harmony. Says the apostle Paul: “Now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Peter exhorts his brethren to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Whenever the people of God
are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer un-
derstanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its
sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages,
and thus it will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines,
it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of
the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s
word and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They
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become conservative and seek to avoid discussion.
The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s
people should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are
holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may
not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new
questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no dif-
ference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for
themselves to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many
now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition and worship they
know not what.