The Signs of the Times
October 3, 1900
The Bread of Life
The Bible contains the science of salvation. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” ST October 3, 1900, par. 1
He who breathed into man the breath of life and made him a living soul, has breathed into the Scriptures a vital, life-giving power. “The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” ST October 3, 1900, par. 2
We need to study the Word of God far more than we do. Thus we shall see ourselves as we are. Let us take God's holy Word as our counselor. Let us study it with a heart open to receive its instruction. ST October 3, 1900, par. 3
Those who study the Bible with a true purpose will become wise unto salvation. Christ speaks of this as eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of man. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven,” he said; “if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. ST October 3, 1900, par. 4
“The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this Man give us His flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.... It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” ST October 3, 1900, par. 5
By offering Himself on the cross of Calvary, Christ gave His flesh and blood for the salvation of the world. Those who believe in Him as a personal Saviour, those who work His works, receiving His words and practising His principles, are eating the bread of life. Christ's lessons are their food and drink. They constantly seek to do Christ's will. Under all circumstances they strive to do as He would do. They look to Him who is the Author and Finisher of their faith, inquiring earnestly, What would Jesus do? What words would He speak? If I speak words that He would not speak were He in my place, I am not abiding in Him, or He in me. ST October 3, 1900, par. 6
Christ's Word is the bread of life and the water of salvation. Trust in its fulness comes to us through constant communion with God. By it we gain spiritual strength. Christ supplies the life-blood of the heart, and the Holy Spirit gives nerve power. Begotten again unto a lively hope, imbued with the quickening power of a new nature, the soul is enabled to rise higher and still higher. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians was “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” ST October 3, 1900, par. 7
As our natural life is sustained by physical food, so our spiritual life is to be sustained by spiritual food, even the words of Christ. The Gospel, believed and lived, means eternal life. It gives spiritual health and vigor. It enables us to show in the daily life the fruits of the Spirit. ST October 3, 1900, par. 8
The disciples of Christ are to bring the perfection of His character into their characters. He has given them His Word as their spiritual food. As they eat His Word, they will grow like Him, manifesting unselfishness, integrity, kindness, and love. In all they do, Christlikeness will be revealed. Thus they will show that they are eating the bread of heaven and drawing living water from the wells of salvation. ST October 3, 1900, par. 9
In Christ, “God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” These words are not merely to be read as a lesson. They are to be understood, believed, and lived. They will give us spiritual life. Christ's teachings are to be brought into the daily experience. We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins. ST October 3, 1900, par. 10
It is by the Word of life that the Christian is to live. From it we are to receive a continually increasing knowledge of truth. From it we are to gain light, purity, goodness, and a faith which works by love and purifies the soul. It is given to us that we may be cleansed from all defilement, and presented faultless before the throne of divine glory. Wondrous victory, gained by Christ in our behalf! ST October 3, 1900, par. 11
Oneness with Christ depends on the renewing of the mind by the Holy Spirit. Thus we are strengthened to walk in newness of life, receiving from Christ forgiveness for our sins. He who has this experience is a cleansed vessel, sanctified and meet for the Master's use. Self is dead. His words are, “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” There is a daily reception of the Holy Spirit, and this brings eternal life to the soul. ST October 3, 1900, par. 12
Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God have a vital, saving union with Him. They are partakers of the divine nature. Christ dwells in the human tenement. True Christians are one with Christ as Christ is one with God. The quickening of the Holy Spirit brings life to the soul. When this is believed, understood, and known by experience, the character of God is revealed in the human agent. Christ abides in the heart. ST October 3, 1900, par. 13
All disunion, all selfish thoughts, words, and actions, are the fruit of the working of an unholy spirit upon the mind. Under the influence of this spirit, words are spoken which do not reveal the Saviour. Christ is not formed within, the hope of glory. Those who live thus are sinners, tho they may be counted as saints. They are without faith. They do not practise the principles of Christ. Many who claim to be Christians commit grievous sins because they do not eat the bread that came down from heaven. ST October 3, 1900, par. 14
Those who receive Christ are meek and lowly. Christ opens within their hearts a fountain of living water, which springs up unto eternal life, refreshing the souls of others. The lives of those who eat the bread of life are purified by the grace of God. They claim and receive all that the giving of Christ's flesh and blood signifies. Vivified by the Holy Spirit, they are enabled to work the works of Christ. ST October 3, 1900, par. 15
The Word of God should be our counselor in all difficulties, our guide in all the relations of life. In the heart, the home, the place of business, the living oracles of God should reign supreme. When alone, when no human eye sees, no human ear hears, the truth is to be our companion. Ever the soul is to be subject to its control. Upon thought, word, and deed it is to stamp its divine impress. To those who obey, the Word of God is the tree of life. It possesses the elements necessary for the formation of a perfect character, and on the effect which its teaching produces in us depends our destiny for eternity. ST October 3, 1900, par. 16
Mrs. E. G. White