The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The Spirit's Sealing - another look

hdbdan,

I also agree that there is always the inherent danger of falling off to one side or the other when it comes to biblical truth... or any truth for that matter.

As I stated before, I see no biblical warrant to seek after experience. I think Paul's prayer to the Colossians is paradigmatic:

Colossians 1:9-11 (ASV) "For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;"

Notice that Paul begins by expressing his prayerful desire that the believers at Colossae be filled with the knowledge (Grk epignosis) of his [God] will. This is incontrovertibly a reference to the inspired written Word of God; the Scriptures, and that they will come to comprehend its fullness and use it wisely. Next, Paul states the purpose, to what end, that this knowledge of God is to accomplish. The being filled [faithful and regular study] with the knowledge of God's revealed will is to be put into practice, i.e., bearing the fruit of the Spirit and doing good works before both God and man. Through praxis, believers come to know God in a more personal way, which Paul says is an increasing in the knowledge of God. The short of all this is that by giving oneself to the study of the Scriptures, coming to a right understanding of them, and then putting what is learned into practice, the believer then experiences God working in, through and for them by His loving providence. This is what it is to walk by faith vs. walking by sight or inner experience.

Lastly, the Puritans I have read, at least for the most part, do not see the Song of Songs/Solomon as paradigmatic of a believer's experience. The majority see this book as a description of Christ's love for His bride; the Church. That some of the Puritans were given to Mysticism, to one degree or another is unfortunately true. We need to be discerning when we read ANY human author, whether it be Luther, Calvin, Owen, Edwards, and yes, even Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Personally, I covet that Paul's prayer would be fulfilled in me much more than having some ethereal experience which may or may not be from God. Experiencing God will be mine in it's ultimate sense when I am called home and then glorified with all the saints. Methinks I can wait for the real deal rather than seeking after some elusive experience here and now.