The Signs of the Times
June 6, 1906
Our Great Treasure-House
A Failure to Teach and Study God's Word—Part 8
The Bible has been robbed of its power, and the results are seen in a lowering of the tone of spiritual life. In the sermons of many pulpits of today there is not that divine manifestation which awakens the conscience and brings life to the soul. The hearers can not say, “Did not our hearts burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” There are many who are crying out for the living God, longing for the divine Presence. Philosophical theories or literary essays, however brilliant, can not satisfy the heart. The assertions and inventions of men are of no value. Let the Word of God speak to the people. Let those who have heard only traditions and human theories and maxims hear the voice of Him whose Word can renew the soul unto everlasting life. ST June 6, 1906, par. 1
To a failure to study and obey the Scriptures may in a great degree be attributed the widespread iniquity in our world today. When the Word of God is set aside, its power to restrain the evil passions of the natural heart is rejected. Men sow to the flesh, and of the flesh reap corruption. ST June 6, 1906, par. 2
And here, too, is the great cause of mental weakness and inefficiency. In turning from God's Word to feed on the writings of uninspired men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened. It is not brought in contact with deep, broad principles of eternal truth. The understanding adapts itself to the comprehension of the things with which it is familiar, and in this devotion to finite things it is weakened, its power is contracted, and after a time it becomes unable to expand. ST June 6, 1906, par. 3
All this is false education. The work of every teacher, every parent, should be to fasten the minds of the children and youth upon the grand truths of the Word of inspiration. This is the education essential for this life and for the life to come. ST June 6, 1906, par. 4
And let it not be thought that this will prevent the study of the sciences, or cause a lower standard in education. The knowledge of God is as high as heaven and as broad as the universe. There is nothing so ennobling and invigorating as the study of the great themes which concern our eternal life. Let the youth seek to grasp these God-given truths, and their minds will expand and grow strong in the effort. It will bring every student who is a doer of the Word into a broader field of thought, and secure for him a wealth of knowledge that is imperishable. ST June 6, 1906, par. 5
The education to be secured by searching the Scriptures is an experimental knowledge of the plan of salvation. Such an education will restore the image of God in the soul. It will strengthen and fortify the mind against temptation, and fit the learner to become a co-worker with Christ in His mission of mercy to the world. It will make him a member of the heavenly family, and prepare him to share the inheritance of the saints in light. ST June 6, 1906, par. 6
Human theories and speculations will never lead to an understanding of God's Word. Those who suppose that they understand philosophy think that their explanations are necessary in order to unlock the treasures of knowledge, and to prevent heresies from coming into the church. But it is these explanations that have brought in false theories and heresies. Men have made desperate efforts to explain what they thought to be intricate scriptures; but too often their efforts have only darkened that which they tried to make clear. ST June 6, 1906, par. 7
The priests and Pharisees thought that they were doing great things as teachers, by putting their own interpretation upon the Word of God; but Christ said of them, “Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” He charged them with the guilt of “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Tho they were the teachers of the oracles of God, tho they were supposed to understand His Word, they were not doers of the Word. Satan had blinded their eyes, that they should not see its true import. ST June 6, 1906, par. 8
This is the work of many in our day. Many churches are guilty of this sin. There is danger, great danger, that the supposed wise men of today will repeat the experience of the Jewish teachers. They falsely interpret the divine oracles, and souls are brought into perplexity and shrouded in darkness because of their misconception of divine truth. ST June 6, 1906, par. 9
The Scriptures need not be read by the dim light of tradition or human speculation. As well might we try to give light to the sun with a torch, as to explain the Scriptures by human tradition or imagination. God's holy Word needs not the torch-light glimmer of earth to make its glories distinguishable. It is light itself—the glory of God revealed; and beside it every other light is dim. ST June 6, 1906, par. 10
But there must be earnest study and close investigation. Sharp, clear perceptions of truth will never be the reward of indolence. ST June 6, 1906, par. 11
No earthly blessing can be obtained without earnest, patient, persevering effort. If men attain success in business, they must have a will to do, and a faith to look for results. And we can not expect to gain spiritual knowledge without earnest toil. Those who desire to find the treasures of truth must dig for them as the miner digs for the treasure hidden in the earth. No half-hearted, indifferent work will avail. It is essential for old and young, not only to read God's Word, but study it with a whole-hearted earnestness, praying and searching for truth as for hidden treasure. Those who do this will be rewarded; for Christ will quicken the understanding. ST June 6, 1906, par. 12
Our salvation depends on a knowledge of the truth contained in the Scriptures. It is God's will that we should possess this. Search, O, search the precious Bible with hungry hearts. Explore God's Word as the miner explores the earth to find veins of gold. Never give up the search until you have ascertained your relation to God and His will in regard to you. Christ declares, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” ST June 6, 1906, par. 13