I’ve been reading a book. Shocker, right? It’s titled A Spirit-Empowered Church, and it’s packed with great information. I’ve read it twice in a month. One of the things that stuck out to me was the concept of experiencing Scripture rather than just learning it.
Experiencing Scripture?
It’s in the discipleship chapter, where the author Alton Garrison talks about spiritual growth. First, the
seeker is saved. Then they learn the truths of the faith.
That’s generally where it stops.
Like trees on a rocky hillside, the new disciples are stunted and unable to grow due to lack of nutrients. The third step isn’t there. Experiencing the faith, the Scriptures.
The key is to go beyond knowing, but experiencing it in your daily life. It’s asking these questions:
- What Bible verses have I experienced today?
- What have I lived that lines up with Scripture?
The fourth part is to express the truths of the faith by listening to and hearing God. Experiencing Scripture daily, loving everyone, and walking with, and yielding, to the Spirit.
Putting It To Practice
After reading that I had one question. What Scripture had I experienced that day? Quite a few.
I had a rough week, with a couple of people very angry with me because I disciplined them. It was experiencing John 3:20, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”
The 35th Psalm was a good descriptor of my week, however, I’ll save that for my next post. During a safety meeting, I was publically attacked. I stood still, forcing a calm expression on my face, all the while simmering inside, resisting the urge to retaliate.
I was experiencing Matthew 5:39, 44-45, 48. “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
And much like Nehemiah and David, I prayed a “get them God” prayer. This is better than unloading on a person, instead, unload on Him, get it out of your system. He already knows how you feel anyway.
That’s experiencing Scripture. Try it and you’ll see how relevant the Bible still is.
A Ronin's Journey 