Seite 635 - Testimonies for the Church Volume 5 (1889)

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Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of its Inspiration
631
I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge
of present truth know not what they believe. They do not understand
the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the
work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there
are men now preaching to others who will find, upon examining the
positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can
give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested they knew not their great
ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted
that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises,
they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those
of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their
belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of
what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among
us a departure from the living God and a turning to men, putting human
in place of divine wisdom.
God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come
in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the
wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of
sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible
truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead
us to a diligent study of the Scriptures and a most critical examination
[708]
of the positions which we hold. God would have all the bearings and
positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer
and fasting. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined
ideas of what constitutes truth. Their faith must be firmly founded
upon the word of God so that when the testing time shall come and
they are brought before councils to answer for their faith they may be
able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and
fear.
Agitate, agitate, agitate. The subjects which we present to the
world must be to us a living reality. It is important that in defending the
doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith we should
never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound.
These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth.
We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our
opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny. With
those who have educated themselves as debaters there is great danger
that they will not handle the word of God with fairness. In meeting an