Growth and Maturity · Biblical Wisdom · Testimony and Service · Christian Life

We know the subject… but do we have experience?

5 min read, approximately

“This is a faithful saying, worthy of acceptance by everyone: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, so that Jesus Christ might display all his patience in me, the foremost, as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life.”

Romans 15:17-21
“Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus in matters pertaining to God. For I would not dare speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience, through word and deed, through the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God. Thus, from Jerusalem and the surrounding region as far as Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. In this way, I have made it my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ had not yet been named, so that I would not build on another’s foundation, but as it is written: Those who were never told about him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Learning and practicing

Without a doubt, the best way to learn something is to put it into practice—yes, again and again! Only through practice can we refine the knowledge we have acquired and thereby gain experience.

For example, our parents encouraged us to crawl, take our first steps, and walk, and then run and jump. Little by little we gained knowledge, put it into action, and practiced repeatedly until we developed skill. It is precisely then that we can teach others how we did it.

But would we ask a banker about baking, or the other way around? Would we seek advice from someone who has no idea about what we need? It would certainly make no sense…

In the same way,

“What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from [thy] works, and I by my works will show thee [my] faith.” (James 2:14-18)

Boasting about a subject without having experience will only cause those who truly need advice to stumble!

“And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)

“And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39)

We must understand that we are not eternal (Matthew 24:22), so our knowledge and experience of every subject are limited (James 1:5).
What, then, should we do? To whom should we turn?

\1. If we do not know the subject, we should be honest with ourselves that we need divine help. Asking for direction in prayer and searching God’s Word will never be a bad idea!

“Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3)

\2. There certainly is someone who endured everything, knows everything, and has the experience to share with us whenever we desire it: Jesus.

“For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help [us] in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

\3. And if we need more…

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, [these] shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)

What do you think?

Do you want to live a faith grounded in real experience? Find music to accompany your journey in our Songbook at SanidApp.

May God continue to bless you
and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook