The Value of Contemporary Experience
By Brian Lawson
The problem that is faced with the most skeptical unbeliever, especially of the atheist persuasion, is in discovering the evidence of a God who is real and active. The Christian message presents the image of God who should have this kind of evidence for His existence and for the validity of the claims of Christianity.
Certainly the Bible points us back into history and into its own pages to discover if the Christian faith is consistent. That is most often the concern that Christians get themselves into when witnessing to the most skeptical critic. In that circumstance, one is often faced with discussions of the Bible’s inerrancy, either historically, textually, doctrinally, etc. Also, one is compelled to offer some sort of philosophical argument for the existence of God . However, the message of the Bible, the very faith of Christianity, should also point us to analyze contemporary experience. The question comes to bear upon us as Christians, and those we speak to outside of our faith, as to whether we experience God in life today. Is this the same, or essentially similar, to the testimony of the Bible? After all, the Bible records for us not only God’s will for our lives, but also what people experienced in obeying or disobeying His will. As well, the Bible gives testimony about what God is like and how real people from ages past - people like you and I - experienced Him in real life.
By those observations we should consider that the value of contemporary experience is as great as any other evidence we can proclaim to the world about our faith in the living Jesus - our Lord and our God. You may rightfully ask, "What experiences are you thinking of?" After all, we can get into some debatable issues even within Christianity itself regarding miracles, sign gifts, and anything that considers the way in which God speaks today. Those issues are certainly relevant, but I don’t wish to address them here. What I do want to provide here are some observations of contemporary experiences like those identified in the Bible. These will be my observations, but I believe that it is valuable for any Christian to do this both for oneself, as Christ’s witness, and to those that he or she may witness to.
There are numerous specific experiences that one could mention. However, what I will selectively discuss below are some observations or experiences that I have recently observed or have had personal exposure to.
Pride is an Obstacle to Experiencing God
"Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar." Psalm 138:6 (NIV) God’s disgust for pride and arrogance is given much testimony in the Bible. In my own study of the Scriptures, I have discovered that the proud in heart distances himself from God, having no room for Him in his own mind (Psalm 10:4). The Bible also indicates that God opposes the proud (Proverbs 3:34; 16:5). Furthermore, those in a relationship with God are called to humility (James 4:8-10), and God disciplines those He loves by various means to bring one to greater humility and righteousness (Deuteronomy 8:1-20). In the Bible, anyone who recognized God and received the blessings of the Lord demonstrated humility - whether that person is introduced with that characteristic, or becomes molded to such humility by the work of God. (See also: Numbers 12:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5; 23:12; Philippians 2:3-11; 1 Peter 5:6).
To what extent are these things observable or experienced outside of the pages of Scripture? First, what I have observed in life is that those who are the most severe critics of the Christian God are quite often noticeably full of pride. They demonstrate that they are far from being humble. This group would be those who are not merely skeptical, but who set themselves in opposition to the Christian faith. They are satisfied with their own moral condition and have no desire to conform to that of a supreme being. Specifically, since the Christian God doesn’t see things the way that they do, in their mind, He must not exist. Otherwise, if He exists, they believe that He should fit their mental mold. Such persons believe that they must know and understand every aspect about Him and be left without any questions. Also, they see no hypocrisy in their condemnation upon God’s judgement(s) of mankind in the Bible in comparison to His condemnation of them for their choices. There is no end to their arrogant mockery of God, or those who call themselves His people. Many of this kind will show little if no restraint in their behaviors toward those who are strong in their faith. Regarding their own potential faith, they make the flagrant suggestion that if God exists that He should provide an unquestionably miraculous sign of their choosing to be done in their own timing. Those of this group rarely ever seriously consider humbling themselves enough to ask God (potentially the creator of them and the entire universe) to demonstrate if He exists and what the truth is about Him - doing so in His manner and timing. This is what I have observed - mainly in conversing with those who are the most ardent critics of Christianity. Again, what I've written here describes some critics, but not all of them. I haven't written this as judgement of them nor do I believe that what I've written represents the reason why they are critics and not believers. Rather, I write this only as a notable observation that explains the distance between God and these opponents of Christianity. As such, this observation appears to be consistent with the testimony of the Bible.
Secondly, I have observed that my own degree of pride while being a believer has hindered my growth and maturity in Christ. I plan to say more in the following categories, but for now I testify that the circumstances in my life have been worked in such a way as to break down my self-sufficient attitude, my pride about myself and my accomplishments, and brought a greater degree of humility. Still, I know I have a lot of growing to do in this area. I believe that whatever has changed in me, regarding pride, is of God’s doing - His discipline to bring me to the attitude that will allow me to grow in Him. This call to humility through such events has drawn me to a greater dependence on my Lord - changing my pursuits from the self-promoting use of my talents to waiting on God to lead me into service that glorifies Him. It is as if He has been holding me off until I could realize what is most important to Him. Where my pride tempts me to hold God at a distance, humility seeks His will and His presence in every hour. My own pride has shut the door in God’s face. Greater humility motivates me to knock on His door patiently, yet earnestly, seeking Him. I am convinced that if I do want more of Him, its going to require less of me. Those are His terms which He is teaching me to prefer instead of fear.
Although the testimony of the Bible concerning pride and humility appears to be consistent with life in those two ways, these attitudes become connected to the experience of God in other areas (as will be indicated in the remainder of this article.) But what I desire to point out overall is that humility is an essential heart condition for experiencing the most of God in life. That is the testimony of Scripture, and it has been personally experienced by this author to be true in life today.
God Demonstrates Favor in Response to a Humble Prayer
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." [2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)].
There was a period of time when the above verse would be quoted by a number of persons quite often. It used to aggravate me every time I heard it because it was just about everyone’s "favorite" verse in the Bible. At least that is the reason that I would give for my aggravation. But I was never so annoyed by any other frequently quoted "favorite" verse. I realize now that not only did I have some issues with humbling myself in the first place, but that I also had some issues with the value of prayer. All of that made the verse sound too weak, too dependent, and much too trite for a person such as myself.
Much to my own surprise, I find myself quoting the verse here for two reasons: 1) Because the favor of God in response to prayer is an observable evidence of the activity of God and, 2) Effective prayer is always of humble character. There are other conditional aspects identified in the verse, but all of them build off of the humility of the person desiring the favor of the living God through their prayers.
Other Bible passages identify this need for humility when approaching God in prayer. Nearly any reference on prayer will reveal this to the thoughtful reader. These truths concerning prayer to God which were testified by the ancients are true in life today. God is actively involved in the lives of His people who humbly seek Him in the name of Jesus. Any Christian who has anything to testify to the world concerning their God has something to say regarding answered prayer - whether that answer came in providence to a need, a sign in a time of question, peace in a time of anxiety, strength in a time of temptation, or a personal message during a time of need for direction or correction. All those with a testimony like this will realize that their prayers were in respect and adoration for "the God who sees"(Genesis 16:13), and the God who hears our prayers (2 Kings 20:5; Psalm 6:9; Luke 1:13; Acts 10:31). He favorably demonstrates His Presence when we thoughtfully acknowledge His power and authority to meet our needs in His time, in His way, and for His glory. That is Scriptural, and it is true to contemporary life.
The Power of God Works Most Effectively Through Those Who Humbly Recognize Their Inadequacy
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." [Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)] It was really starting to bother me when my accountability partner seemed to have more spiritual insight than I did. He was beginning to teach Bible lessons that were much more meaningful than the one’s that I had been teaching. He was being used in more and more ministry, and I was being used in less and less. He was bearing fruit in personal growth and ministry, and I was flat. I thought to myself, "Hey, I’m the one with more Bible knowledge. I’m the one with any kind of ministry training and formal schooling. This shouldn’t be happening!" Besides the fact that I couldn’t just be happy for my friend, I had a lot of pride about my own knowledge and training and past ministry. My self-sufficiency was stifling my growth, my obedience, and ignoring the source of power for effective ministry. I thought that God should be utilizing my talents, but apparently He was demonstrating a principle that I had forgotten. Perhaps I had never learned it in the first place.
The apostle Paul, with all of his scriptural knowledge and religious background demonstrated a consistent dependence on the principle that I was missing. He wrote to the Ephesians that they should pray for all of the saints including himself saying, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." [Ephesians 6:19,20 (NIV)] He also asked the Colossians, "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." [Colossians 4:3-4 (NIV)]
Paul wasn’t self-sufficient. Paul knew that He needed Christ in every hour - in spite of the abundance of experience in serving Him, or any previous revelation that he could pass on to others. Paul recognized his inadequacy to accomplish God’s call on his life in his own strength. He knew that He relied on the power of God working through the Holy Spirit to accomplish meaningful and effective ministry. He told the Corinthians, "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." [1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (NIV)]
Though humble, Paul testified that it was very possible to become full of self-pride because of the ways that God had used him. He said in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NIV)
Reflecting on all of these things, the testimony of the New Testament is that God used Paul in a mighty way to accomplish His purposes. He was an open vessel because he humbly recognized his need for God in everything.
A teenage girl at my church was recently preparing to go on a missions trip to Thailand and Cambodia with a group of other teens in her youth-group. She was asked to write in the church newsletter of the trip that she had gone on the year before to Thailand, and what her hopes were for this present trip. She told of all her anxieties before the first trip - her thoughts about whether or not her testimony was good enough - her fears about answering tough questions - her nervousness and anxieties about whether God could use her in that time of ministry. However, she said that she was going to depend on God to be used. Then she told of her experiences from the previous trip to Thailand and testified that God had used her and the other teens to impact the lives of the Thai people. As she looked forward to the next trip, she was asking for prayer - that God would use the teens in many ways to impact the people of Thailand and Cambodia. And her parting words were, "I look forward to sharing the amazing things that God will show us as we surrender to Him. Keep us in your prayers." Time after time, God has used groups of teens from our church to be used in mighty ways in the proclamation of the gospel.
Sometimes, it doesn’t make much sense. It is frustrating - perhaps rather unfair to those who seem to be most suited and self-sufficient for the task. But it is true in life today - I have observed it. "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong...so that no one may boast before Him" [1 Corinthians 1:27,29 (NIV)] Those "inadequate" vessels prove to be most mightily used. To God be the glory.
Testimony of Experiences
There is certainly a lot more to consider than what I have written above regarding contemporary experience. One might reflect on the amazing personal transformation that God performs in the life of many believers, or the ways that God leads and speaks to many of us today in clearly supernatural ways. Perhaps you may have other kinds of experiences or observations. But I kept to the issues concerning humility and pride because they are part of the main issue that God has brought to my attention at the present.
Now that I have said all of this, you may be wondering if I think that any testimony of these contemporary experiences will convince the most hardened skeptic. To be quite honest, I don’t really know. But it isn’t my job to convince them - nor is it any other Christian’s job, for that matter. To anyone, ours is the task of testimony, bearing witness that God lives, loves, and saves through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the God who hears our prayers, and the God who loves, leads and disciplines us throughout our lives. Christians have a personal testimony to speak to the world concerning our walk with the Lord. We are to do so with gentleness and respect. And with any other reason that we have in support of our faith, we know that our own contemporary experience is a part of the whole reason for our hope. We dare not depend on it alone, and we dare not neglect the relevance of it either - neither to ourselves nor the people that we witness to.
END Original: 2000 Revised: 10/14/04