In my travels, i would say only 1 - 3 people in each SDA church are having the experience mentioned. Why do most of us read, study, and pray, and go to church, and then live like none of that mattered the rest of the time?
It seems as though we are not putting the Word into practice. The phrase "we are what we eat" comes to mind. Jesus said we are to eat his flesh and to drink his blood if we want eternal life. Sounds like strange cannibalism but not really. We would physically starve if we did not eat every day and it applies spiritually as well. If we do not 'eat' daily of the Bread of Life we will starve.
And something too i see often, is that those who are eating the most of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, are the most prideful and hard to reach people on the planet. Why is that so? Can't we see that if we know more light than others, we should be reflecting more light to them? The light is not from ourselves, but is all from Jesus. So the closer we get to Jesus, the more we should come to resemble him. But the sad truth is for most people, is the more they know about Jesus thru the Bible and SOP, the harder their hearts get. Then they tend to drive away others seeking for the truth.
Somehow there seems to be a disconnect being "knowing" the truth, and "living" the truth.
For many of us, and no doubt even myself in the past (i pray i'm changed now), to KNOW Christ means to earn points in an arguement about him. You see, God has given us the truth, so no one can possibly outscore us in competition. The only problem, there should never be competition about the truth.
Amen Webmaster! Thats the way I have seen it with many people - its always earn points in an arguement to score! We need to humble ourselves. There should never be out scoring on bible truth! Humbleness is the KEY!
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
In fact, i've thot of this quite a bit. I don't know anyone alive who i can say without a doubt has been "baptized" with the Holy Spirit. Yet, as my almost Christian/doubter Japanese friend says: "I can be Christian without being baptized with water, because nobody is being baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the Bible says you must have both." I disagree with his resulting conclusion, but there is truth in what he says too.....
When Jesus fills us with His love, what does it feel like?
Charles Fitchs book
1.The love of the world was gone;
2.no sinful indulgence had any charm for me.
3.My whole heart was won by Christ, and filled with overflowing love to Him, and I feel that a thousand hearts, had they been mine, would have been most joyfully consecrated to His service.
4.I had no will but His,
5.and no desire of life or death or eternity, but to be disposed of in that way which would secure the highest possible praise to my Redeemer.
6/I was now delivered from the fear of man, and as I had covenanted with the Lord to confess His faithfulness to the world, when He should give me evidence on which I could rely that
7.I was redeemed from all iniquity, and as I had now found myself, and in a way so glorious and delightful beyond everything I had ever before conceived,
made "dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
8.I had been so abundantly enlightened respecting the privilege of every Christian to be kept in that state by the faithfulness of the dear Redeemer, I could not for a moment hesitate.
9.It was my duty to declare to the world that by the power of the Holy Spirit given me by my own blessed Savior, I was made "dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
On the morning of the day which immediately followed the Sabbath when I first "witnessed this confession" before men, I had a season of communion with God of which I will speak because I think it may do good. I was alone in my chamber, and meditating upon some passages of scripture which made mention of the faithfulness of God.
[They were as follows: "God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 1:9 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." "God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True." Revelation 19: 11. His name is also called the Word of God. "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:16.]
10.While reflecting thus upon the faithfulness of my God and Savior, my whole soul seemed heaved with inexpressible emotions, and poured out in floods of gushing love at my Redeemer's feet.
11.I felt that I had forsaken all for Him, and could now only leave myself in His hands, and commit all my interests to His disposal.
12.And now in view of the safety of trusting my all with Him, my soul exulted with amazing gladness, and I could only walk from my room weeping aloud for joy, and pouring out my tears of overflowing delight as I uttered again and again the single expressionmy faithful Godmy faithful God.
