The Danger of Rejecting Light
God intends that, even in this life, truth shall be ever unfolding
to His people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can
be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God’s word only
through the illumination of that Spirit by which the Word was given.
“The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God;” “for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” [
1 Corinthians
2:11, 10
.] And the Saviour’s promise to His followers was, “When He,
the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.... For He
shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” [
John 16:13, 14
.]...
Peter exhorts his brethren to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [
2 Peter 3:18
.] Whenever the
people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining
a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light
and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of
the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. But as
real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to
advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the
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light already received from God’s word, and discourage any further
investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to
avoid discussion.
The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s
people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are
holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may
not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new
questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no dif-
ference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for
themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many
now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they
know not what.
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
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