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The Holy Spirit Illuminates the Word, April 22
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to
find out whether these things were so.
Acts 17:11
, NKJV.
“Search the scriptures,” Christ declared, “for in them ye think ye have eternal
life: and they are they which testify of me.” Those who dig beneath the surface
discover the hidden gems of truth. The Holy Spirit is present with the earnest
searcher. Its illumination shines upon the Word, stamping the truth upon the mind
with a new, fresh importance. The searcher is filled with a sense of peace and joy
never before felt. The preciousness of truth is realized as never before. A new,
heavenly light shines upon the Word, illuminating it as though every letter were
tinged with gold. God Himself has spoken to the mind and heart, making the Word
spirit and life.
True searchers of the Word lift their hearts to God, imploring the aid of the
Spirit. And they soon discover that which carries them above all the fictitious
statements of the would-be teacher, whose weak, tottering theories are not sustained
by the Word of the living God. These theories were invented by those who had not
learned the first great lesson, that God’s Spirit and life are in His Word. If they had
received in the heart the eternal element contained in the Word of God, they would
see how tame and expressionless are all efforts to get something new to create a
sensation. They need to learn the very first principles of the Word of God; they
would then have the Word of life for the people, who will soon distinguish the chaff
from the wheat, for Jesus left His promise with His disciples....
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (
John 14:27
).
These words are not half comprehended by individuals, by families, or by church
members, to whom and through whom, as His family, God would represent pure,
unadulterated truth, which, if received and properly digested, brings eternal life.—
Manuscript Releases 21:131, 132
.
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