Bible Study
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witness that His word was with power. He spoke the word of God as
He had spoken it to all the Old Testament writers. The whole Bible is
a manifestation of Christ. It is our only source of power.
This word does not repress activity. It opens before the consci-
entious searcher channels for activity. It does not leave men in un-
certainty, without an object, but places before them the highest of
all aims,—the winning of souls to Christ. It puts in the hand a lamp
that lights the way to heaven. It tells of unsearchable riches, treasure
beyond estimate.
The word of God is the standard of character. In giving us this
word, God has put us in possession of every truth essential to salvation.
Thousands have drawn water from these wells of life, yet there is
no diminishing of the supply. Thousands have set the Lord before
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them, and by beholding have become changed into the same image.
But these searchers have not exhausted these grand and holy themes.
Thousands more may engage in the work of searching out the mysteries
of salvation.
As the worker studies the life of Christ, and the character of His
mission is dwelt upon, each fresh search will reveal something more
deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inex-
haustible. The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice
and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student
as long as time shall last; and looking to heaven with its unnumbered
years, he will exclaim, “Great is the mystery of godliness!” [
1 Timothy
3:16
.]
We talk about the first angel’s message and the second angel’s
message, and we think we have some understanding of the third angel’s
message. But as long as we are content with a limited knowledge, we
shall be disqualified to obtain clearer views of truth. He who holds
forth the word of life must take time to study the Bible and to search his
own heart. Neglecting this, he will not know how to minister to needy
souls. The diligent, humble student, seeking by earnest prayer and
study for the truth as it is in Jesus, will most assuredly be rewarded.
He seeks for help, not from ideas of human writers, but from the
Fountain of wisdom and knowledge; and under the guidance of holy
intelligences he gains a clear understanding of truth.
It is not by the might or power of the human agent that truth is to
be impressed upon minds, “but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
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