p. 195 | Search the Scriptures by F. W. Morse

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1872

“Search the Scriptures.”

By F. W. Morse

“SEARCH: To examine thoroughly.” The man seeking goodly pearls illustrates the persevering energy which the Bible student should exhibit as he obeys this gospel command. The searcher finds one pearl extremely precious. To obtain it, he is willing to sacrifice all his possessions. It is no trial for him to do this; he makes the transfer with joy. There is no drudgery, no compulsion, no unwillingness. It is cheerfully done, a free-will transaction; he has got his eye upon eternal life.

The devoted, Bible examiner will get his affections riveted upon the same glorious prize, and, with that inspiring object in view, will hide God’s word in his heart, for fear that he tread incautiously in the ways of sin and death. Even the night watches will not prevent his earnest meditation on the words of life.

The Scriptures point out the way of life, and by obedience to their teachings we may finally obtain eternal life. “You think to obtain by them eternal life.”—Campbell.

The inspired volume points out the way of eternal life, and makes known to us the great Creator, the source of life and light. By the word of God, we are made acquainted with beings of another, a heavenly, world. Referring to the Scriptures, our Saviour declared, “They are they which testify of me.” Their great Author urges, “Acquaint now thyself with me and be at peace; . . . receive, I pray thee, the law at my mouth, and lay up my words in thy heart.”

By treasuring up the words of God in our minds, we may get an insight into his character and his ways, so far as it is for our benefit. Knowledge of God, as revealed in his word, is an indispensable element of the Christian character. Our Saviour named his disciples “friends;” “for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15.

Those who despise the knowledge of God as revealed in his word, are they who are settled down in darkness, dead to righteousness, though fully alive in the lust of concupiscence.” 1 Cor. 15:34; Eph. 4:18; 1 Thess. 4:5. Their final portion, unless reformed, is with those in the day of perdition who “know not God and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 1:7.

The Scriptures testify of Jesus Christ, and none can ever expect to become members of that Good Shepherd’s flock, unless they form an acquaintance with the divine Shepherd. The sacred book is held up to us, and the Chief Shepherd pleads, “Acquaint now thyself with me and be at peace.” Why longer seek to clamber up some other way? Lay aside the empty trash of the day, and store up the words of life and salvation contained in the blessed Bible as the chiefest treasures of thy heart.

We are not left at the mercy of every wind of doctrine. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20. Here is the great criterion by which we are to measure the doctrines of the day. “To the law and to the testimony,” an oracle which is always open for consultation. The inquirer may apply to the inspired writings, and, without bribe or incantation, learn the ways of life and truth.

In making a daily research of the inspired volume, we shall obtain the approbation of Heaven. The ancient Bereans searched the Scriptures daily. The word of God commends them as being of a noble disposition. They possessed an elevated character, and their gracious inclinations of mind led them to explore the word of God daily. The Bible contains a wonderful arrangement of knowledge. It is the standard authority in the wisdom of God; the text-book in the science of eternal life. It clears up problems otherwise incomprehensible and unaccountable. What depth of philosophy could account for those miracles which accompany true religion? What sagely wisdom could look to the bottom of these mighty problems daily put forth in the operations of nature? Outside of the Bible, who can tell the giver of the daily bread that feeds a thousand million souls? “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” F. W. MORSE.