Scriptures a Safeguard
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and a guideboard indicating where each one leads. If he disregards
the guideboard, and takes whichever road seems to him to be right, he
may be ever so sincere, but will in all probability find himself on the
wrong road.
God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with
its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. When
the lawyer came to Jesus with the inquiry, “What shall I do to in-
herit eternal life?” the Saviour referred him to the Scriptures, saying:
“What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Ignorance will not
excuse young or old, nor release them from the punishment due for the
transgression of God’s law; because there is in their hands a faithful
presentation of that law and of its principles and claims. It is not
enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man
thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul’s sal-
vation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself.
However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be
that the minister knows what is truth, this is not his foundation. He
has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey,
and he ought not to guess at anything.
It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn
from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and
encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study
the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture
with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for
ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved
in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great
wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual
meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false
teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared: “Ye know not the
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Scriptures, neither the power of God.”
Mark 12:24
. The language of
the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless
a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the promise: “If any
man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”
John 7:17
. If men
would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to
mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that
would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ
thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error.