Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
While I understand the idea of the "present experience of God," I often wonder if we are often talking about getting a feeling due to following a particular practice rather than trying to be the image bearers of God exercising Godly love and righteousness in all of our living.
In other words, we have become conditioned to think of experiencing God as an activity in and for itself when I'm not sure that is what it is about.
|
Abiding in God, and practicing the presence, are real experiences to me. Is it a delusion, or wishful thinking, on my part? I suppose it could be, but it's important to me. I'm flawed and need it.
Not the it makes me a spiritual giant, in any way. I don't think it sets me apart. It actually humbles me, and makes me feel small, in the grandeur of it all.
I had what I thought to be at the time, while in the local church, high peak spiritual experiences. Now I don't know what to make of it/them.
I have spiritual experiences still today ... but mostly of a cosmic sort ...
oceanic, some call it. of omnipresence ... a sense of the unbounded limitlessness, or the eternal, perhaps. It's refreshing and energizing, and sometimes has helped me solve some seemingly impossible problems in life.
I don't really know what to make of it. Cuz there's no sense of being able to follow it, like what we imagine following the Holy Spirit would be like. But it can clear the mind, in times of turmoil and trouble, which can be a needed help.
But then, on the other hand, I haven't seen good results from those that claim to follow the Holy Spirit either. I'm close to a Christian now, that's been obsessed with following the Holy Spirit for decades. Her life is a serious mess, that she feels trapped in .. full of disappointment & dread ... with serious consequences for her and her family.
So I don't know. I need help; not just with understanding 15:45 ... but with the Spirit in general, whatever it is.
I really like Edwards' theory that the Holy Spirit is the love within the godhead.
I need love. Is the last Adam really, as Edwards might say, the life-giving LOVE?