p. 3 | Knowing the Truth by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 3, 1904

Knowing the Truth

By Editor

Editorial

Knowing the Truth

IN these days when human reason is being exalted as the final arbiter of truth, it is well to emphasize the plain instruction which Jesus has given touching this matter. To the Jews who listened to him, and who were inclined to cavil concerning his message as not having behind it the authority of the Rabbinical schools, Jesus said: “My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory.” The mind of man, weakened and darkened by sin, is not capable of passing a safe judgment upon that which is presented to it, and of determining its character. This is the inheritance of sin. There is preserved to us, however, the ability to choose and to will to do what is right, even before we know what is right; and when this choice has been made and is steadily maintained, the Lord promises to guide us in the pathway of truth. The ability therefore to distinguish between true teaching and false depends more upon the attitude of the will toward duty than upon mere keenness of the intellect. This is illustrated in the common experiences of life, as we often mark the deep spiritual insight manifested by those of very ordinary mental capacity whose one purpose is to glorify God, while some of the brightest minds fail to apprehend the simple gospel message. It was an illustration of this principle when Jesus said to the Sadducees, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.” The words were in their heads, but they had failed to permit the truth to rule their lives, and they therefore fell into error in interpreting the Word. Again, Jesus said: “If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth.” The daily acceptance and constant practise of the truth is the best preparation for discerning between truth and error. Fellowship with the Spirit of truth is the best defense against the spirit of error. These are days of peril, and no one is able to keep himself from being led away by the cunning perversions of the truth which are being taught on every hand. It is only as Jesus becomes our wisdom in our daily fellowship with him that we are able to distinguish those most dangerous falsehoods—half truths. The enemy will deceive, if possible, the very elect, and the human intellect is no match for the cunning of him who before he fell was “the anointed cherub that covereth,” and who was “upon the holy mountain of God.” Let the pride of human attainments be brought low, and only the keeping grace of God, given to those who obey the truth, be exalted as the confidence of the humble believer. “The Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, . . . shall teach you all things.” Faith is the key of knowledge.

The Ministration of the Spirit

THE ancient tabernacle service was typical of things in heaven. It is said of the priests that they “serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” In the earthly sanctuary, priesthood, and service there was set forth the teaching concerning the heavenly sanctuary, priesthood, and service. The efficacy of the earthly service ceased with the rending of the veil of the temple at the time of the crucifixion, but now “we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” The continual service of the earthly sanctuary, with its priests, “many in number,” with its “continual burnt-offering,” its “perpetual [continual] incense,” its “continual show-bread,” has found its antitype in the continual service of the heavenly sanctuary with Christ as the one priest who “contineth ever,” who “when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever [continually], sat down on the right hand of God.” And it is further written concerning Christ’s ministry: “But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.” This “better covenant” of which Christ is now the mediator in his more excellent ministry is thus set forth: “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and on their heart also will I write them.” Through the ministry of Christ, our high priest in the heavenly sanctuary, the law of God becomes to us “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” Thus he ministers to us himself in the person of the Holy Spirit as “the Lord our righteousness.” Those who believe on him and accept his ministry in their behalf become righteous by faith. Herein is the sinner’s only hope. This is “the hope of righteousness.” By this ministry the gift of Christ to take our flesh is made efficacious in our behalf: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” By this means we are able to confess “that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.” This is the very essence of the gospel.

“Rich in Mercy”

IT is because of the abundant mercy of God that provision has been made for our salvation. “God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.” “When the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves; but according to his mercy he

saved us.” “Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

“Praise be to Jesus, his mercy is free: Sinner, that mercy is flowing for thee—If thou art willing on him to believe: Life everlasting thou mayest receive.”