- Oct 16, 2004
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But faith is not about a feeling. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). I would not want to trade in my Bible for an experience.
Our lack of CLEAR visions is a PROBLEM. Why so? What happens when an object is too far in the distance to be seen clearly? Inevitably our mind, in its effort to see and comprehend it better, will fill in some of the details. The result is conceptual idolatry. And we know that an idol-worshiper is NOT a mature believer. Therefore spiritual maturity MUST be understood as correlated to the clarity of our visions of God (Num 12:8). Which is precisely Paul's argument at 1Cor 13:
"[In our immaturity] we know in part, and we prophesy in part..Then [in maturity] we shall see face to face."
And I want to be perfectly clear on how to properly DEFINE an intimate relationship with the Father. Please be aware that 'fellowship with God' is an explicit NT theological category (1Cor 1:9; Phi 2:1; 3:10; 1Jn 1:3, 6). The following conversation will pave the way to an understanding:
A man says to his comrade, “Guess what? I have recently been enjoying incredibly intimate fellowship with a woman. Indeed we are in love.” “Oh really? Tell me all about it! Is she beautiful?” “Well, I‟ve never actually seen her.” “No? Ok. In that case, I‟ll bet she has a wonderfully feminine voice.” “Well, honestly, I‟ve never actually heard her voice.” “No? How exactly do you know her, then?” “Well, actually she died 2,000 years ago nailed to a cross, but she left behind a book of laws and rules for me to obey.” “Wait a minute, I thought you boasted intimate fellowship with her!” “Yes I did. It‟s a spiritual relationship.”
Sorry to burst that guys bubble, but what he just described was NOT fellowship. Fellowship between two parties (1Cor 1:9; Phi 2:1; 3:10; 1Jn 1:3, 6) can ONLY be defined as a mutual exchange of sensations more or less distinct (loud and clear). The broader the spectrum of sensations, the more intimate the fellowship. Even if the the Father WANTED to omit some components of that spectrum, it would backfire in the sense of cognitive idolatry whenever our mind instinctively fills in the missing details. Therefore He even needs us to eat and drink of Him, as at the Last Supper (but please don't assume this is happening in today's Eucharists unless you've been able to authenticate it).
ANY type of sensory exchange with the Father counts as fellowship with Him. For example He might bless you with feelings of joy that are more or less distinct(loud and clear). Or feelings of peace that transcends all understanding. The more experience, the more maturity. The absence of experience from the Father defines the unsaved, reprobate state. It is literally impossible, then, for your statement to be farther off the mark:
But faith is not about a feeling. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). I would not want to trade in my Bible for an experience.
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