The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. By His word Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea and raised the dead. The whole Bible is a revelation of Christ, and the Savior wanted to fasten the faith of His followers on the Word. When His visible presence would be withdrawn, the Word must be the source of their power. HH 177.6
As food sustains our physical life, so the Word of God sustains our spiritual life. As we must eat for ourselves, so we must receive the Word for ourselves. We should carefully study the Bible, asking God for the Holy Spirit’s aid so that we may understand His Word. We should take one verse, discover the thought God has put in that verse for us, and dwell on the thought until it becomes our own. HH 177.7
In His promises and warnings, Jesus means me. God so loved the world that He gave His Son, that I by believing in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. The experiences related in God’s Word are to be my experiences. Prayer and promise are mine. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. As faith thus absorbs the principles of truth, they become a part of the being and the ruling power of the life. The Word molds the thoughts and enters into the development of character. HH 177.8
God will make precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. As they feed on His Word, they find it is spirit and life. The Word destroys the natural, earthly nature and gives a new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit comes as a Comforter. By God’s grace, the disciple becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine likeness. This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven. HH 177.9
Christ knew the character of those who claimed to be His disciples, and His words tested their faith. He declared that they were to believe and act on His teaching and be molded in His character. This involved relinquishing their cherished ambitions. It required complete surrender to Jesus. They were called to become self-sacrificing, meek and humble in heart, to walk in the narrow path traveled by the Man of Calvary. HH 178.1