The Truth Shall Make You Free

Desire of Ages, p. 466
            Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power.  He is not his own.  He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery.  He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan.  While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness.  Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul.  "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" sets us "free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:2.

General Conference Daily Bulletins, 1893-02-06
            The true peace will come among God's people when through united zeal and earnest prayer the false peace, that exists to a large degree, is disturbed. . . . Those who are under the influence of the spirit of God will not be fanatical, but calm, steadfast, free from extravagance.  But let all who have had the light of truth shining clear and distinct upon their pathway, be careful how they cry, Peace and safety.  Be careful how you make the first move to suppress the messages of truth.  Be careful what influence you exert at this time.  Those who profess to believe the special truths for this time need to be converted and sanctified by the truth.  As Christians we are made depositaries of sacred truth, and we are not to keep the truth in the outer court, but bring it into the sanctuary of the soul.  Then the church will possess divine vitality throughout.  The weak shall be as David, and David as the angel of the Lord.

Study To Show Yourself Approved

Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 1890-03-25
            Do not trust to the wisdom of any man, or to the investigations of any man.  Go to the Scriptures for yourselves, search the inspired word with humble hearts, lay aside your preconceived opinions; for you will obtain no benefit unless you come as children to the word of God.  You should say, "If God has anything for me, I want it.  If God has given evidence from his word to this or that brother that a certain thing is truth, he will give it to me.  I can find that evidence if I search the Scriptures with constant prayer, and I can know that I do know what is truth."  You need not preach the truth as the product of another man's mind, you must make it your own.  When the woman of Samaria was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, she hastened to tell her neighbors and townsmen.  She said, "Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?  Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. . . . And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. . . . And many more believed because of his own word; and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ."
           Brethren, we must sink the shaft deep in the mine of truth.  You may question matters with yourselves and with one another, if you only do it in the right spirit; but too often self is large, and as soon as investigation begins, an unchristian spirit is manifested.  This is just what Satan delights in, but we should come with a humble heart to know for ourselves what is truth.  The time is coming when we shall be separated and scattered, and each one of us will have to stand without the privilege of communion with those of like precious faith; and how can you stand unless God is by your side, and you know that he is leading and guiding you?  Whenever we come to investigate Bible truth, the Master of assemblies is with us.  The Lord does not leave the ship one moment to be steered by ignorant pilots.  We may receive our orders from the Captain of our salvation.
           No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it in the meekness of Christ.  But many do not do this.  When a controverted point is presented, they pour in question after question without acknowledging, without admitting a point when it is well sustained.  O may we act as men who want light!  May God give us his Spirit day by day, and let the light of his countenance shine upon us, that we may be learners in the school of Christ.

The Bereans

Acts of the Apostles, pp. 231,232
            At Berea Paul found Jews who were willing to investigate the truths he taught.  Luke's record declares of them: "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.  Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."
            The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice.  They were willing to investigate the truthfulness of the doctrines preached by the apostles.  They studied the Bible, not from curiosity, but in order that they might learn what had been written concerning the promised Messiah.  Daily they searched the inspired records, and as they compared scripture with scripture, heavenly angels were beside them, enlightening their minds and impressing their hearts.
            Wherever the truths of the gospel are proclaimed, those who honestly desire to do right are led to a diligent searching of the Scriptures.  If, in the closing scenes of this earth's history, those to whom testing truths are proclaimed would follow the example of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures daily, and comparing with God's word the messages brought them, there would today be a large number loyal to the precepts of God's law, where now there are comparatively few.  But when unpopular Bible truths are presented, many refuse to make this investigation.  Though unable to controvert the plain teachings of Scripture, they yet manifest the utmost reluctance to study the evidences offered.  Some assume that even if these doctrines are indeed true, it matters little whether or not they accept the new light, and they cling to pleasing fables which the enemy uses to lead souls astray.  Thus their minds are blinded by error, and they become separated from heaven.
            All will be judged according to the light that has been given.  The Lord sends forth His ambassadors with a message of salvation, and those who hear He will hold responsible for the way in which they treat the words of His servants.  Those who are sincerely seeking for truth will make a careful investigation, in the light of God's word, of the doctrines presented to them.