Miracles And Miraculous Gifts

by G. PRASHER, JR. | Category: Miracles And Miraculous Gifts | Dec 1952

We do well to recall that many Christians who have never been beguiled by the deceitfulness of spirit-manifestations have nevertheless known crises in their spiritual life which have left indelible impressions. Many have borne witness to God's dealings with them in this way. Deep exercise for greater holiness of life or power in witness has been followed by an unforgettable realization of the presence of God, and a fulness of the Holy Spirit which has marked a distinct transformation of their spiritual life. To God be the glory for such experiences and their results! But may we be saved from building wrong doctrine on such experiences! The instructed believer appreciates that God in His sovereignty grants these experiences to some; but He has not guaranteed them to all! There is a clear parallel in His dealings with Israel in Old Testament days. All earnest Israelites could attain a great measure of spiritual growth and enlightenment simply by ensuring that the basic condition of heart was right: "What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Yet, through some, God had a special purpose, and in fitting them for their tasks He manifested Himself uniquely to them. He spoke in "divers portions and in divers manners"; Moses stood with unshod foot as the Voice of the eternal God spoke to him from the burning bush; Elijah covered his face with his mantle at the cave entrance as the still small voice filled his heart with awe; Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up; Daniel's comeliness was turned to corruption at the Divine presence.

A further parallel may be seen in regard to varying experiences surrounding the new birth. With some the dawning of the truth of salvation may be so gradual that they scarcely know the exact time when they passed from death to life; others, Lydia4ike, open their hearts at the first gentle knock of the Saviour; while to some it is a clear-cut crisis, involving the wholesale repudiation of their past manner of life, and a sensational change from the darkness of unbelief to the brilliance of "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Yet in each and every case, the essential principles of "repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ" are at the foundation of the experience. It would be folly to suggest that a certain pattern of experience should be known by everyone at the time of their being born again. Yet false teachers continue to urge that believers should all know a particular pattern of spiritual experience as a major crisis after salvation, and they build their sensational edifice of wrong doctrine on that flimsy foundation.

We may rest assured that God's dealings with His children in connexion with their spiritual growth are infinitely varied, yet always based on the principle that true blessing is granted only to humble

hearts earnestly desiring guidance by the Holy Spirit through the Word. "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

Before parting company with the reader; we would offer a word of appeal in the spirit of the apostle when he said,

"I beseech you .... by the meekness and gentleness of Christ."

It is in this spirit that the Lord will lead us to full assurance regarding any matter which is causing us exercise of heart.

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

These words of the Lord Jesus Christ touch the same chord. Happy we are if there is a responding desire in our hearts to humble ourselves, and wait quietly upon God until the light of divine truth streams into our soul, making us fully assured in all the will of God.

Our readers will probably fall into three main groups

1.Those who heartily agree with the line of truth set out in the foregoing pages.

What then shall we say to these things? Shall we not humble ourselves before the One who has so graciously guarded us from the awful perils of spurious and deluding experiences in these last days? Let us seek Him with ever-growing earnestness, that our spiritual condition may warmly radiate the grace and glory of Him whose Name we profess to honour! Within our grasp is that lovely transformation from glory to glory into the image of Christ, even as from the Lord the Spirit. Then will others more readily be drawn into the paths of truth by our testimony. May God deliver us from an apathetic state which could help drive other believers into the arms of the devotees of tongues, healings and signs!

2.Those who have known certain experiences, sincerely believing them to be of God.

It will be difficult for you at first even to entertain the possibility of such experiences having been of the evil one. Yet you will agree that if there is the remotest chance of this being the case, you do well to pause, seek God's face for His guidance, and search the Scriptures daily. - Truth will stand the test of most critical examination. Will you go through the difficulties expressed in these articles, and face up to the inconsistencies of modern experiences as compared with those of the early churches of God? For it is written, "Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light".

3.Those who are interested in the experiences advocated by some Christians, but have not yet attained to them.

Has God not put this message into your hands at this stage of your seeking has a definite warning against the dangers you are courting? "God willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth". We commend you to God and to the Word of His grace. May He guard you from stumbling, and lead you away from the cult of false miracles to that genuine spiritual growth which His word sets before us as the goal of happy and fruitful Christian experience!

"Now unto Him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen."

G. PRASHER, JR. | Dec 1952
Miracles And Miraculous Gifts