Counsel #2 — Focusing On What’s Most Important

Picture: Counsel #2 — Focusing On What’s Most ImportantCSe 12.1

Where can the most reliable information be found? What kind of information has God given us in His Word? While God did not include details about squirrels in His Word, leaving such topics for us to explore, He provided answers to crucial questions like “How can I understand my neighbors, and how should I treat them?” and “What determines our destiny after death?” Squirrels are fascinating and loved by God, but human life and destiny are of ultimate value to Jesus. Scripture offers a brief guide for life, and in heaven there will be ample time to study all aspects of God’s creation. However, questions about rocks and fossils may seem insignificant, but they impact our trust in God’s Word. Let’s begin with that topic.^{[9]https://www.adventist.org/holy-scriptures/how-to-know-the-bible-is-true/}CSe 12.2

“… You will have some false teachers in your group. They will teach things that are wrong—ideas that will cause people to be lost. And they will teach in a way that will be hard for you to see that they are wrong. They will even refuse to follow the Master who bought their freedom. And so they will quickly destroy themselves.” 2 Peter 2:1 ERVCSe 12.3

“Rightly understood, [nature and Scripture] make us acquainted with God and his character by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which he works. We are thus led to … have an intelligent trust in his word.” Ellen White in The Signs of the Times, March 20, 1884CSe 12.4

Reflect: How can you balance your reliance on human knowledge with your trust in God's ultimate authority, His Word?CSe 12.5