Honest inquirer (9)

    Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .

             H O N E S T      i n q u i r e r                            

                  The phrase  'honest inquirer'  appears  9 times in the published works of EGW                                           page NOT on original site 

                             Related Phrase:    honest inquirer after truth  ( below )  - -  Honest hearted  (  )  - -   Honest heart  (  )

   Jesus desired to awaken inquiry. He sought to arouse the careless, and impress truth upon the heart. Parable teaching was popular, and commanded the respect and attention, not only of the Jews, but of the people of other nations. No more effective method of instruction could He have employed. If His hearers had desired a knowledge of divine things, they might have understood His words; for He was always willing to explain them to the honest inquirer.   { COL 20.3}   Read entire Chapter 1

 

 
  Through the years of probation, God is testing and proving the hearts of men, that it may be seen who will find room for Jesus. The question to be answered by every soul is, Will you accept the pardoning love of God, which is a remedy for the diseases of the soul, or will you choose the enmity of Satan, and reap the terrible doom of the lost? In order that sin may be cleansed from the soul, it is necessary to believe the word of God. Satan will suggest unbelief, and while it is not always necessary or wise to seek to answer the cavils of infidels and skeptics, it is well to be able to give an answer to every honest inquirer, the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Plant your feet on the word of God, and give the reason of your faith and hope, but let not the unbeliever drag you down into his cave of darkness; rather invite him up to stand under the light of the Sun of righteousness, that he may recognize the voice of God. There will no excuse be found for unbelief in the judgment. { RH May 31, 1892, par. 11 }

 

  “Without me,” Christ says, “ye can do nothing.” Then be sure to open the heart to Jesus. Let simple prayer go up from your heart to God, pleading that you may not fail to appreciate his promises, and to understand the conditions upon which salvation is given. Plead this, not only for your own satisfaction, but that you may make the way of salvation plain to those that are in darkness. We must approach unto God with the simplicity of a little child, and present to him his pledged word. Educating the soul to the simplicity of faith, will be the very discipline best suited to the work we shall be called upon to do for those who are in the world, without God or hope. The minds of the worldly are dull of comprehension regarding spiritual things, and it will call for simplicity to deal with them, and teach them of the blessings that those may have who daily follow the Lamb of God whithersoever he goeth. The truth will need to be presented and made as simple as the A-B-C of the alphabet is made to the primary pupil. Take the simplest truth, bringing Christ before the mind, and angels will cooperate with you in making the impression upon the honest inquirer.  You are to be the agent through whom God will speak to the soul. Precious things will be brought to your remembrance, and with a heart overflowing with the love of Jesus, you will speak words of vital interest and import. Your simplicity and sincerity will be the highest eloquence, and your words will be registered in the books of heaven as fit words, which are like apples of gold in pictures of silver. God will make them a healing flood of heavenly influence, awakening conviction and desire, and Jesus will add his intercession to your prayers, and claim for the sinner the gift of the Holy Spirit, and pour it upon his soul. And there will be joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. { YI May 4, 1893, par. 10 }

 

  The evidences, from a Bible standpoint, of the authenticity of the work of the Spirit of Prophecy in connection with the last church are all-sufficient, but a closer acquaintance with the work of Sister White seems to be demanded, in order to satisfy the honest inquirer that it fills the requirements of God’s Word.—The Review and Herald, November 17, 1891. { 4BIO 23.3 } 

 

 

 

            H O N E S T     i n q u i r e r     a f t e r    t r u t h                          

                  The phrase  'honest inquirer after truth'  appears  5 times in the published works of EGW   

  Jesus assumed humanity that He might meet humanity. He brings men under the transforming power of truth by meeting them where they are. He gains access to the heart by securing sympathy and confidence, making all feel that His identification with their nature and interest is complete. The truth came from His lips beautiful in its simplicity, yet clothed with dignity and power. What a teacher was our Lord Jesus Christ! How tenderly did He treat every honest inquirer after truth, that He might gain admission to his sympathies and find a home in his heart. { TM 190.1} 

 

  Jesus assumed humanity that he might meet humanity. He brings men under the transforming power of truth by meeting them where they are. He gains access to the heart by securing sympathy and confidence, making all feel that his identification with their nature and interest is complete. The truth came from his lips beautiful in its simplicity, yet clothed with dignity and power. What a teacher was our Lord Jesus Christ! How tenderly did he treat every honest inquirer after truth, that he might gain admission to his sympathies, and find a home in the heart. { SpTA03 17.2 } 

 

  Jesus assumed humanity that he might treat humanity. He brings men under the transforming power of truth by meeting them where they are. He gains access to the heart by securing sympathy and confidence, making all feel that his identification with their nature and interest is complete. The truth came from his lips beautiful in its simplicity, yet clothed with dignity and power. What a teacher was our Lord Jesus Christ! How tenderly did he treat every honest inquirer after truth, that he might gain admission to their sympathies, and find a home in the heart! { GCB February 25, 1895, Art. B, par. 10 }

 

  In his instruction to his followers the Lord used scenes from nature, occurrences from life, the habits and customs of the world, as illustrations whereby to convey to the minds of men the significance of truth. If they desired to understand divine things, they might have perceived the import of his words; for the divine Teacher was ever willing to explain what he taught, to the honest inquirer after truth.  In figurative language he brought before the multitudes that which pertained to their eternal interest. He pictured before them the perils of the times, and made plain the way of escape to those who had ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to understand. { ST October 24, 1892, par. 5 }

 

  The word of God is to be the guide book, the counsellor, the teacher in the highest class of education. The Bible teaches the whole will of God concerning the plan of salvation, and if men are ignorant, it is because they do not choose to be wise. God says of the supposed great men of our world, They must become fools in order to be wise. The sentiments of infidel authors are not needed to perfect an education. In the past our schools have mingled with that essential for education, the writing of men who advance error, the sophistries of men who trample under foot God’s memorial. The Book that reveals the plan of salvation has been made secondary. But how is the honest inquirer after truth to find the way to heaven. Only by the Word of God, from which, even in his ignorance, he will learn the truth and be saved from destructive errors.—Manuscript 12b, 1896, pp. 4, 5, 15. (“Higher Education,” March 17, 1896.) { 6MR 15.4 } 

 

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