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In providing this title, “Experimental Faith,” I am using an older definition of the word “experimental” with which those familiar with the writings of our Adventist pioneers are better acquainted. It does not mean uncertain, or unproven; instead, it means something that is subject to being proven. This is to say, it is something that we are invited to test for ourselves, and to see that it is true.
While the word “experimental” does not appear in the Scriptures, and “experiment” only once, the way that it has been used in SDA writings is conveyed by a number of significant verses. We may read a few examples of these here:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1Th 5:21)
This applies specifically to our Heavenly Father here: “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness, when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years.” (Heb 3:8, 9)
Yahweh bore long with rebellious Israel, even as He was leading them to freedom from Egyptian slavery. Although their hearts turned away from Him time after time, He endured their lack of faith so that they could see His goodness, so that He could prove His character to them as a testimony to the world. In this generation, we do not turn away from our Father time after time. We stand in His judgment, having learned from the experiences of those who have come before. We have received Christ, the fulfillment of the hope of the Old Testament saints. We have been crucified with Him, buried with Him in baptismal symbol, and raised back to a life that is free from what killed us – sin. We, who live in Christ’s resurrection, live the kind of life that He lived. In fact, it is the very life that He lived. We read, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Yahshua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:2)
The Spirit is the life. The Spirit of Christ is the life of Christ, and this is the Spirit that abides within the convert, within the born-again believer. We have the life of Christ, the mind of Christ, and we have become partakers of the divinity of Christ. Sin has no place in this bright atmosphere of Yahweh’s glory. We have given up sin, choosing everlasting life rather than eternal death, a choice made possible by the undeserved grace that has been shown to us by our Creator and our Savior.
For those who wish to learn trust in Yahweh, the trust that allows them to place their lives entirely in His hands, they are invited to prove Him, to have an experimental faith. We read another example of this invitation here: “‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith,’ saith Yahweh of Hosts, ‘if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.’” (Mal 3:10)
This is not a study about tithes, but tithes are a ready example of the experiment. We show our trust in Yah by giving of ourselves, by sacrificing what we have, and as we do this, and to the degree that we do this, we see a blessing far greater than what we have lost. This is an eternal principle, and a divine Law – but many do not know it, because they are not taught what it means, nor are they in the spiritual environment of victory; they are captive to a false bride and taught false doctrines; in such an atmosphere this truth cannot be properly revealed.
Those who give generously, sacrificially, and joyfully, to the true work of teaching the Gospel, of finishing the work of the Three Angels’ Message, will see this principle fulfilled. They have decided not to rob Yahweh (as this chapter explains is the true nature of withholding one’s increase), and the result proves that their faith is not misplaced.
One last verse, one of many: “O taste and see that Yahweh is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) This verse is perhaps the most direct invitation to the experimental faith.
When the disciples of John the Baptist approached Christ, eager to obtain a word of encouragement for their teacher, He did not provide them with convincing words, nor did He make an argument to justify His ministry. Instead, we read, “And in that same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight. Then Yahshua answering said unto them, ‘Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached.’” (Luke 7:21, 22)
He invited them to witness what He was doing: healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and finally (and most importantly) peaching the Good News. That is the mark of a disciple, not signs and wonders, although these are often present where truth faith abides, but the preaching of the Good News, of the pure faith without compromise, excuse, or limitation. Satan has his miracles, but He will never lead a soul to the born-again experience. He will never try to teach freedom from, and victory over, sin. He will never consent to the release one of his captives.
This is the mark of one who has an experimental faith, they have both experienced spiritual conversion, and they take up the task of sharing it with others. These elements must both be present. To experience conversion and not share it with others is described in the parable of the talents. You recall it from Matthew 25, how the unfaithful servant, rather than sending it out into the world to be increased, buried his talent. In the judgment, when the master returned, the little that he had was taken from him. (Mat 25:27, 28)
On the other hand, attempting to teach the Gospel when one has not yet experienced the freedom from sin that it represents results in either hypocrisy, or a corrupted message. One must either teach something he does not believe in, or teach what he actually does believe in – a doctrine that does not lead to victory and everlasting life.
The born-again experience, therefore, is not a private, individual one. Instead, it begins as an individual relationship with the Savior, and then expands outward into the world to do good among others. As we examine this topic, we are actually following up with the themes that we covered last week, in the study Giving Up Sin. We saw that conversion is really Yahweh’s healing of humanity from the insanity, the mental and spiritual illness of sin. The effect of this comes next: a life that is made pure, down to our very cells. We are given a life that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father and a testimony that is made clear. We who are healed claim that we are healed, because we cannot and do not bear a false testimony, even though our words are rarely believed, or accepted.
Because our testimony brings conviction to the sinful heart, as it is intended to do, we become the targets of projected failures. Lying, insincerity, blasphemy, unfaithfulness, pride… these are the things that keep one from atonement with the Father and Son, and these are the very things of which Their genuine messengers are accused. We do not hold ourselves up as anything except the unworthy recipients of a great Gift; but we do not deceive ourselves or others about what that Gift has done for us, in us, and through us, for it is a great cleansing, a great renewal, and a great transformation. It is the proof of Yah’s goodness toward mankind, that He creates and maintains a People who are faithful to Him, His Law, His principles, thus proving Satan’s claims in the Great Controversy to be false.
This is an issue bigger than any individual one of us. When we let our lips declare that we have gained the victory, when our testimony is of an invincible faith and when, by that faith, our lives correspond with our claims, we become witnesses against Satan in the Great Controversy, and it is our words that cast him down. Yes, Christ speaks the words, “Get behind Me, Satan,” (Luke 4:8) “Yahweh rebuke thee,” (Zech 3:2) and “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Those are also our words, and we have many occasions to speak them in the course of this sanctified life. The Bride and the Groom are of one Spirit. They have the same testimony, and They speak the same things.
Each individual is brought to the cross in a different way. Again, it begins as an individual, personal relationship with Christ, and the experience of one person will not be like anyone else’s. Nevertheless, from the testimony of the Brethren both within and after the Scriptures, we find that there are some things that every instance of conversion has in common:
1) Conversion does not depend on one’s feelings. Paul writes, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:11-13) John writes, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (1John 3:20) What Yahweh knows is objective truth, and is greater than what our hearts, subject to our thoughts and feelings, may tell us.
2) Conversion happens in an instant, often without it being realized at first. We read, understanding the spiritual truth behind these incidents, “So Yahshua had compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.” (Mat 20:34) “And immediately there fell from [Saul’s] eyes as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18) I offer several verses here, because it is such a controverted point in this wicked generation, this doctrine of being born again immediately upon opening one’s self up to the Savior. And yet, that is what the Scriptures teach. The healing of the Father and Son is immediate, and this is true of both physical and spiritual restoration. The evolutionary mindset believes that Yahweh works through slow, gradual changes, but He is a Creator, including the Creator of a clean heart in a penitent sinner.
Here is a third witness, this one emphasizing the spiritual change: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)
It may take but a single Bible study, a single preached sermon, a single act of spiritual goodness, for the observing soul to say, “I want that experience. I will trust in Yahweh with all my heart, and never again doubt His power to keep me from sin.” That is all it takes. Faith does not, when presented with the opportunity for wholeness, say, “Let me pray and think about this or a while,” or, “There are things I need to do before I am ready for this new life.” If someone has been hearing this Gospel, this truth, for months and years, and has not yet made a decision for Christ, they are doing something wrong; they are waiting to learn something, or realize something, that will make their decision easier… when the truth is that it will never be easier than this very moment to step into the light.
Faith, like love, is a decision, and it is the work of a moment. And when that moment has come, and the decision made for life, the brain is healed, transformed, “rewired,” as I termed it last week, as when the language of humanity was diversified at the Tower of Babel. This is the reverse: the fall of Babylon, the end of confusion, but an operation of the same type. It is a work of our Father, not of our will, and it occurs according to His creative and often invisible nature.
3) Conversion completely changes one’s mind. This “rewiring” is an event of total transformation. One is no longer a sinner, but a saint. No longer is one destined for death, but has become one receiving an inheritance of everlasting life in loving service to the King. We read, “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12:2) Here we see a connection between the nature of conversion and the experimental, proven faith. By our healing, by our transformation, we prove the loving nature of our Father, and the perfection of His will. Not every Old Testament saint understood this transformation in its fullness, and many use this fact today to their own destruction, rejecting the increasing light that has come through Christ for their salvation. Not every first century Christian fully understood this, which is why the instruction appears in a letter written to the Church. But for us, on whom the ends of the earth have come, we stand in the judgment of the living. We stand among the 144,000 that follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth, and will be satisfied with nothing less than complete cleanliness of the mind and spirit. This is the desire that He places within those of us who heard the Gospel preached, who believe in the message that our Father raised up among Adventists in 1888, and who stand with the saints in this last generation. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1John 5:4)
4) Conversion gives authority to the words of the born-again believer, so that when we praise our Father our words testify against the flesh. This is designed to be a good thing, to inspire repentance in those who seek righteousness; however, it is also the reason why these words have been written: “Every day they wrest my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil.” (Psalm 56:5) The words that we speak are intended to bless the sinner, but if they are unwilling to receive the blessing, they will cast those very words against us. Because their thoughts are evil, and because they will not humble themselves unto repentance, they will hate the righteous testimony. Rather than seeking the same blessings we have received, they deny the good that Yah has done for His people, and try to lead others also to reject His promises. They must tear down the messengers of the Most High to justify their infidelity and, as the saying goes, “misery loves company.”
Yahshua said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:18, 19)
Those who speak Yahshua’s words are treated as Yahshua was treated. Those who say, “I know who I am in Christ,” will be treated as Christ, who called Himself “I AM.” Those who seek to teach the truth will be called deceivers, and those who have humbled themselves before the Savior will be called proud for their very submission to His divine will, for their very obedience to One infinitely greater than themselves.
“Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb, and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, ‘Is not this the son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Ba’alzebub the prince of the devils.” (Mat 12:22-24)
We spoke last week of Eliab who was convicted of his own fear upon hearing statements of faith by his younger brother, David. David spoke of Yahweh’s power and His promises to protect His people. Eliab only heard condemnation. Here again, Yahshua healed the sick, and cast out devils. Rather than rejoicing that some poor soul was finally made well, and seeking to learn for themselves of this healing faith, the religious leaders saw only a threat to their own influence. They gave Eliab’s answer, a projection of their own sins unto the source of their conviction. Those who are converted, who both have the experience and go forth to teach the experience, will often hear Eliab’s answer directed at them.
We do not speak of ourselves. Last week we saw the nature of conversion. Now we look at what it does in us. It brings about this transformation, immediately, invisibly, but perfectly and completely. Then it kindles in us a testimony, a fire for the truth, so that we share it with others. When we go forth, we do so knowing that there are unbelievers, even among those who claim to be Christ’s people. There are Eliabs, even among those who are our brothers. There are accusers, even though we seek only their good.
But in all this, we stand confident, because our faith has been proven. It has been tested, it has been subject to experimentation, and it retains its golden shine. We shall not be convinced that we are in error, not because we are proud of what we know, but because we see unrighteousness overcome. We perceive the change in ourselves, a perfect heart-hatred of sin. We are driven to guide others into this experience, a freedom that Satan has ever desired to keep a secret. It is not by his power or deceptions that we have this born-again life, but we cooperate with the angels of our Father to set the Enemy’s captives free.
We are fishers of men, casting our nets into the waters. And we may not always know, in our human reasoning, where to cast those nets. We read of Yahshua’s appearance to His disciples after His resurrection, “But when the morning was now come, Yahshua stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Yahshua. Then Yahshua saith unto them, ‘Children, have ye any meat?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said unto them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.’ They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” (John 21:4-6)
Here we see a Carpenter instructing fishermen how to fish. There is a lesson in this: do not lean on your own understanding, but listen humbly for the voice of the Spirit. The Father will not always give us instructions according to our expectations or experience, but according to the many factors that He knows, but we do not. Trusting in the voice of Yahweh for ourselves is an important part of the Sanctified life, and this is what leads to the final point of this study.
The people of Yahweh are called “sheep,” and this we are, because we have a Shepherd. Before the Father and Son, we are humble servants, united as a single, holy flock under Authority. However, we are “apostolic sheep.” The word “apostle” in Greek means “one who is sent.” It is a representative of a higher power or individual who has been given specific orders and the authority to carry those orders out.
Before our fellow humans, we are not sheep; we are a royal priesthood, a nation of kings and priests. This does not mean we set up our own little kingdoms, or take it upon ourselves to command our brothers and sisters. Christ Yahshua, the King of Kings, subjected Himself to mankind as a Servant, even unto the Cross. He was the greatest of Leaders, and yet He permitted Himself to be led so that others would be raised up.
We have authority, and we use that authority to serve others by speaking power into their lives. With our testimony, with our love and friendship, our words will bring them healing and life. Because Christ dwells in us, the converted person is a leader among men – a true leader, one that guides by example, and shows others the way in which they should walk.
In the Church, we have elders, and pastors, and teachers, and as Paul describes it, these “seemed to be pillars,” (Gal 2:9) but remember that pillars are on the sides, holding up the roof. They aren’t on top of anything else. And so, while the words here appear to indicate some kind of hierarchy, and the carnal mind loves to either tell others what to do or be told what to do, the true nature of leadership is revealed even in the symbol used here. Those who have been given gifts are obligated to use that strength to help others, to keep the structure standing, to hold up the walls, not to be praised or held up themselves. In any building, the pillars must all work together, or the building’s structure will be compromised – thus, we are in unison. The fact that each hears the voice of Yah for themselves does not cause division, because all hear the same voice, even as it brings us our own individual message. We are many, and we are one.
Let this word encourage the brethren. You are called to be learners in the School of Christ, but your education is not only for your benefit. Everything you learn is making you a more capable messenger of the truth. Every blessing you receive is to make you are more effective leader, to lead your friends, your relatives, a random stranger you might encounter on the street, out of Babylon, and onward to the Savior for their redemption.
We may not always see a straight line ahead of us. We are sometimes engaged in work we are certain is for the Gospel, and the Savior may appear and say, “Try casting your net on the other side.” Sometimes things don’t go according to our expectations. We are told, “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say, for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” (Luke 12:11, 12) Preparation is good, but it will never be enough to outsmart the great Enemy of souls. For that we need divine inspiration, we need the work of the Spirit through our lives, and this we have, this we are promised, for the moment when we need it.
If anyone here believes that he or she is converted, but has not thought of himself or herself, as being a leader in Christ, “be thou healed.” This is the word of Yahshua to you. Be healed from this misconception, this waiting to be told how to be a Christian, or an Evangelist. The Law and the instructions of others are a guide that has brought you to Christ, and now that Christ is in you, you are taught by Him directly. We read, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know Yahweh,’ ‘For they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them,’ saith Yahweh, ‘for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’” (Jer 31:34)
Now, as I said, none of this is contrary to true Christian unity. This is not a contradiction of the verses in the New Testament that speak of the unique Body of Christ, and the importance of apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers “for the perfecting of the saints.” (Eph 4:11-12) The truth – rightly used – raises us up without making us prideful. We all know our Father. We all know our Savior. As we are being sanctified, even as we lead others to sanctification, we will always depend on one another for aid in our mutual growth. There will always be some who are further along the way, who can point out the upcoming pitfalls and stony areas. But where we are, that is where Yahshua has placed us. Those around us, Yahshua has permitted them to be there so that we might bless them. What we learn from our own teachers, this becomes our obligation to teach others, for what we know, this Gospel that we have been blessed to receive, this is the need of every human being lost in the confusion of the world. The experimental faith that we have, this becomes our invitation to others, that they may, in their own lives, prove the love of our Father in Heaven.
Let us be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, (Mat 10:16) as we exercise this experimental faith, the proof of which has made us leaders in Christ Yahshua. Each of us, to someone else, may be as Moses. Each of us, to someone else, may be as Solomon in his days of blessing. Each of us, to someone else, may be as the apostles, teaching, healing, and interceding, all in the name of, and by the authority of, our Savior. Let us invite others to taste and see that Yahweh is good, to be leaders indeed, and lead others to this understanding, that our Heavenly Father is waiting to pour out a blessing upon them both for this life, and for the life to come.
David.