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Counsels for the Church
reach their fulfillment only in the endless cycles of eternity. It calls our
attention to subjects of infinite depth and importance relating to the
government of God and the destiny of man. The entrance of sin into
the world, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection, and
many other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for
the human mind to explain or even to fully comprehend. But God has
given us in the Scriptures sufficient evidence of their divine character,
and we are not to doubt His word because we cannot understand all
the mysteries of His providence.
If it were possible for created beings to attain to a full understand-
ing of God and His works, then, having reached this point, there would
be for them no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge,
no further development of mind or heart. God would no longer be
supreme; and men, having reached the limit of knowledge and attain-
ment, would cease to advance. Let us thank God that it is not so. God
is infinite; in Him are “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
And to all eternity men may be ever searching, ever learning, and yet
they can never exhaust the treasures of His wisdom, His goodness, and
His power.
Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually
liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much
reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases is a
positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence
and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed
upon God or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubt;
and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy
takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are
not correct
Love for Bible Study Is Not Natural
Both old and young neglect the Bible. They do not make it their
study, the rule of their life. Especially are the young guilty of this
[89]
neglect. Most of them find time to read other books, but the Book that
points out the way to eternal life is not daily studied. Idle stories are
attentively read, while the Bible is neglected. This Book is our guide to
a higher, holier life. The youth would pronounce it the most interesting
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Testimonies for the Church 5:699-705