First I am sure there must be a sincere desire to know the Truth from error and to realize where one must go to get it. There is but one source for truth and we must go there and there is another great help we must have to obtain it.
EGW, here in a few short paragraphs reveals this and folks we are at the time in this world's history when this is a must!
"God intends that even in this life the truths of His Word shall be ever unfolding to His people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God's Word only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the Word was given. "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God;" "for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:11, 10). {AG 199.3}
From God, the fountain of wisdom, proceeds all the knowledge that is of value to man, all that the intellect can grasp or retain. The fruit of the tree representing good and evil is not to be eagerly plucked because it is recommended by one who was once a bright angel in glory. He has said that if men eat thereof, they shall know good and evil; but let it alone. The true knowledge comes not from infidels or wicked men. The word of God is light and truth. The true light shines from Jesus Christ, who "lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9). From the Holy Spirit proceeds divine knowledge. He knows what humanity needs to promote peace, happiness, and restfulness here in this world, and to secure eternal rest in the kingdom of God. {AG 199.4}
Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given. . . . The Spirit of truth is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. {AG 199.5}
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Knowing truth is more involved than ascent to abstracts or dry facts.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know <1097> not a man?
1097. / ginosko ghin-oce-ko; a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed): allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
( see how weak a modern translator's definition can get balanced against how Scripture uses a word ).
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew <1097> you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know <1097> thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know <1097> that we know <1097> him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know <1097> him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we <1097> that we are in him.
"truth that is not lived" = 12 hits
"Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. {AA 206.2} "
"Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessing can be retained only as it is shared. {MH 148.4}
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know <1097>of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Union with something ='s knowing it in the fullest sense knowing it. If I academically "know' the 2300 day prophecy but do not live in harmony with the reasons for the Judgment > I ascent to it on paper but I do not "know" it and engraft it, so that "knowing" it does me or anybody else any good.
Knowing Truth and knowing Christ are actually joined by the nature of truth it's self > truth exists because Christ IS truth and in creating reality, created and established and causes to consist and continue as truth.
" The apostle's great love for the Corinthian believers was revealed in his tender greeting to the church. He referred to their experience in turning from idolatry to the worship and service of the true God. He reminded them of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which they had received, and showed that it was their privilege to make continual advancement in the Christian life until they should attain to the purity and holiness of Christ. "In everything ye are enriched by Him," he wrote, "in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." {AA 301.2}
" Looking unto Jesus we obtain brighter and more distinct views of God, and by beholding we become changed.Goodness, love for our fellow men, becomes our natural instinct.We develop a character which is the counterpart of the divine character.Growing into His likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God.More and more we enter into fellowship with the heavenly world, and we have continually increasing power to receive the riches of the knowledge and wisdom of eternity. {COL 355.1}
" Every one should feel that there rests upon him an obligation to reach the height of intellectual greatness. While none should be puffed up because of the knowledge they have acquired, it is the privilege of all to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that with every advance step they are rendered more capable of honoring and glorifying God. They may draw from an inexhaustible fountain, the Source of all wisdom and knowledge. {GW 279.2}
Having entered the school of Christ, the student is prepared to engage in the pursuit of knowledge without becoming dizzy from the height to which he is climbing. As he goes on from truth to truth, obtaining clearer and brighter views of the wonderful laws of science and of nature, he becomes enraptured with the amazing exhibitions of God's love to man. He sees with intelligent eyes the perfection, knowledge, and wisdom of God stretching beyond into infinity. As his mind enlarges and expands, pure streams of light pour into his soul. The more he drinks from the fountain of knowledge, the purer and happier his contemplation of God's infinity, and the greater his longing for wisdom sufficient to comprehend the deep things of God. {GW 279.3}
may we all attain it
