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Digging Deeper Into the Mine, April 9
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11
.
It is proper and right to read the Bible; but your duty does not end there;
for you are to search its pages for yourselves. The knowledge of God is not
to be gained without mental effort, without prayer for wisdom in order that
you may separate from the pure grain of truth the chaff with which men and
Satan have misrepresented the doctrines of truth. Satan and his confederacy
of human agents have endeavored to mix the chaff of error with the wheat
of truth. We should diligently seek for the hidden treasure, and seek wisdom
from heaven in order to separate human inventions from the divine commands.
The Holy Spirit will aid the seeker for great and precious truths which relate
to the plan of redemption.
I would impress upon all the fact that a casual reading of Scriptures is not
enough. We must search, and this means the doing of all the Word implies.
As the miner eagerly explores the earth to discover its veins of gold, so you
are to explore the Word of God for the hidden treasure that Satan has so long
sought to hide from man. The Lord says, “If any man willeth to do his will,
he shall know of the teaching” (
John 7:17
, RV).
The Word of God is truth and light, and is to be a lamp unto your feet,
to guide you every step of the way to the gates of the city of God. It is for
this reason that Satan has made such desperate efforts to obstruct the path
that has been cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. You are not to
take your ideas to the Bible, and make your opinions a center around which
truth is to revolve. You are to lay aside your ideas at the door of investigation,
and with humble, subdued hearts, with self hid in Christ, with earnest prayer,
you are to seek wisdom from God. You should feel that you must know the
revealed will of God, because it concerns your personal, eternal welfare. The
Bible is a directory by which you may know the way to eternal life. You
should desire above all things that you may know the will and ways of the
Lord.—
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 307, 308
.
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