The Nature of Christian Experience by L. L. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

The Nature of Christian Experience

By L. L. C.

SOME Christians, through a misconception of the nature of Christian experience, are led into great discouragement as they view their own experiences. Some very conscientious persons are even caused to question whether they really are Christians at all. These forget that perfection of character is the goal, not to be attained at once, but only through a continual, lifelong struggle. "The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime, and must be the result of diligent and persevering effort."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 223. The gifts of the Holy Spirit have been given to God's people to aid them in reaching this goal, being given, as the apostle Paul says, "for the perfecting of the saints, . . . till we all come . . . unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph. 4: 12, 13.

The entrance of the believer into the Christian life is spoken of as a birth. Christ told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. The child at birth may be perfect, as a child, but he must grow into perfect manhood. Should growth fail to ensue, that which was considered perfection in the child would become a lamentable deformity. So also the apostle Peter exhorts those who have experienced the new birth: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2: 2.

As a good, healthy growth in the children is a great cause of rejoicing to the parents, so Paul rejoiced when he saw the growth in Christian experience of the believers in Thessalonica. This growth was so manifest that he said, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth." 2 Thess. 1: 3.

What joy it affords the parents when the little child begins to walk alone! There are few children, however, who gain this ability without a few tumbles and even some serious falls. Parents, while doing what they can to minimize the dangers to the child in this experience, encourage him not to become disheartened, but to get up from each fall and go on. Even after the art of walking has been acquired, the child may, through carelessness, stumble and fall. But if he gets up again promptly, why be discouraged?

The growth of Christian experience in its quiet development is compared in the Scriptures to the increasing light of the rising sun. Solomon tells us, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4: 18.

Instead, then, of claiming a present perfection of life, let us say, with the apostle Paul, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Phil. 3: 12. And instead of becoming discouraged at past failures and mistakes, let all have the apostle's experience when he says, "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3: 13, 14.

L. L. C.