Experience
“If a man could sell his experiences for what they cost him, he would never need Social Security.”- Anonymous. (Social Security is the American government pension plan.) We probably would not argue with that statement. Some of our own sinful experiences in life have cost not only ourselves, but also those around us who have felt the effects, as well. So, we could rightly conclude that self-willed, personal experience is a powerful teacher, but it is also very expensive.
Solomon clearly contrasts the two different ways that we can choose to experience life. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). The just have righteousness imputed to them by means of accepting Christ’s sacrifice for their sins. They very determinedly seek to grow in the grace (unmerited pardon) they have through Him. They, therefore, are ardent overcomers who strive for perfection, which is why their lives shine increasingly as they progress to the perfect day. The just learn to experience life as Christ would have and did, in obedience to God.
Notice now how Solomon describes those who choose expensive experience through self-will. “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:19). The way of the wicked is to experience life by carnal impulse. It is comparable to spiritual darkness where one can stumble over and over again without understanding why. A lack of true peace and lasting happiness is the cost of such experience.
As a physical man, Christ fashioned His experiences after His Father’s example. “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner (John 5:19). Because He followed our Father’s example, we know that He did not experience life with a self-first attitude. No, His life was full of light and meaning as He happily served others who would be called to that same light.
We, today, are the blessed recipients of Christ’s experience. “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Because of our Father’s intervention through Christ, a brilliantly lit future awaits us. Though we live in a world of darkness and stumbling presently, God’s Spirit will lead and guide the willing to experience this life ever more fully in the light as we overcome to the end.
Our present experiences have come at the cost of Christ’s priceless life. Such experiences could never be sold. Through Christ living in us, we indeed do have “Spiritual Security”!
Marshall Stiver
