Theoretical, Practical, Experimental

WHEN the beautiful and harmonious theory of present prophetic truth is presented to the people, they are disposed to object practice to theory, and think we would do better to attend the practical part of religion, and let the prophecies alone. They do not seem to see that the fulfillment of the prophecies and the present signs of the times have any bearing upon our duty. If we are only living right, say they, we are prepared for death, the advent of Christ, or any event whatever.

But when we advance a little further, and show that the light of prophecy exposes the apostasies and corruptions of the professed church, and their departure from the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and that a real reform in these things is demanded, they can but see that our preaching is practical in the highest degree, and now they ardently desire good, experimental preaching, such as their souls can feast upon. The urging upon them of duties they are unwilling to perform, is dry and irksome. They long for experimental preaching—they are hungry, and want food.

But if perchance theoretical preaching produces faith, a faith so strong that the practical is received by willing obedience, there is no longer a drought of the experimental, but, on the contrary, a rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory. To such the truth is glorious, the obedience delightful, and the joy inexpressible.

The preaching of the first apostles is a model for all others. If we carefully inquire after their manner, we shall find that they presented the great facts of the gospel—the then present truth, that God had fulfilled his promise in sending the Messiah, that he died for our sins, was buried, rose again and ascended to Heaven, and that there is a merciful High Priest before the throne of God, to make reconciliation for those that come to God by him. They sustained these facts by proofs and arguments from the Scriptures; and when the truth was received by faith, obedience followed, and there is no doubt that experimental religion was the result. We hear them speak of this to the brethren; but they do not tell unbelievers how happy their religion makes them feel; nor how happy their hearers will be if they receive it; neither do they ask them, when they come forward to obey the gospel and unite with the church, whether they have experienced religion. The best test of true religion is such faith in the truth as leads to willing and hearty obedience. Consequently the apostles asked no one to relate his experience, when he presented himself for baptism and church membership.

In stating this fact, I do not disparage experimental religion. The experience of the love of God shed abroad in the heart by his Spirit which is given us, must be had if we would enter Heaven. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." And if we have the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will be enjoyed and manifested. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Gal. 5:22-24. If we lack these fruits, and are not crucified to the world and the world to us, we need not hope that we are approved of God, or shall finally be saved.

But the reason, doubtless, why the apostles preached facts instead of feelings to the unconverted, was that other religionists, whether Jewish or Pagan, could oppose feeling to feeling as an offset against the truth. It is not supposed that those who sacrificed their children and even themselves to the gods of the heathens, did so without feeling, and that of the most intense kind too, though it differed widely from the enlightened and serene joy of the Christian. The heathen could claim to have experienced religion; hence they needed first to the enlightened with the truth, and this, rather than the experimental, would show them that their religion was not of the right kind.

Even at the present time, truth and duty are opposed by what claims to be experimental religion. They tell us that God blesses them and they feel his approving smiles, and reason hence that they are right and safe, though evidently disregarding the claims of the letter of the word of God. There is no abuse greater than this, and no deception is sweeping greater numbers of professed Christians down to the gates of death. The idea of being led by the Spirit contrary to the word is a delusion so self-evident that it ought not to have the least credence. And the fact of so many discordant and conflicting sects all claiming to be led by the Spirit of God, has made many infidels in regard to the operations of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God does not lead in different and opposing ways.

The lesson then which I wish to inculcate is this: First learn the truth, next heartily obey it, and then reap a harvest of joy and peace. True religion is theoretical, practical and experimental. A religion that claims God's Spirit and tramples on his truth is spurious.