Hey to all the brothers and sisters in Christ! What a joy to see people grow in Christ and be thrilled about their sanctification as I am. As a result of my last post I had a person respond to me asking some great questions regarding mysticism and making decisions. The questions were something like "isn't there something to be said about the feelings we get after we pray" or "the signs that we see after praying sometimes". What a great question! Is there something to be said about it? I mean we hear this kind of terminology all of the time. As I talked through this issue with this particular person they began to understand and get excited about how the Word of God approaches and speaks to this issue. Therefore I wanted to share with all of you the same information in a precise manner for any of you that might be wondering the same types of questions.
First, I would like to discuss the issue of revelation. Revelation is the key issue within this discussion. There are two types of revelation. There is what is known as general revelation which is that what we can know about God apart from scripture (creation). Therefore, the second type of revelation is that of special revelation which includes Scripture. There is a lot that we can know from general revelation when it is viewed through the lenses of Scripture. Otherwise we cannot look at general revelation and understand who God is or even that there is a big “G” God at all. Romans 1:18-25 gives us this truth.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Man sees that what has been created and he suppresses that truth of creation in unrighteousness because of his sinful heart. So you are asking at this point, what does all that have to do with making a decision. The point here is that when mankind is left to himself he will always twist the truth (whatever that specific truth is) to suit his sinful desires. It is only through the objective truth of the Word of God that people can know the truth. Maybe the most clear and recognizable example of this truth is evolutionary theory that was made popular by Charles Darwin. He took the same evidence that we all see and twisted it in unrighteousness to suit him so that (in my opinion) would not be accountable to a sovereign God. What is interesting is that modern day evolutionist denies that this theory is possible but yet still will hold to an anti-God position (some major theological implications (ask for details)). For example read this quote by Gary E. Parker in the book what is creation science, “If one wishes to believe in evolution, it is a free country, but he must believe it strictly as a matter of faith; there is no scientific evidence for evolution that cannot be explained at least as well, and usually better, by creation”. Now I would disagree with this particular scientist/author on the consistency of his theology, but that is not my point. The point here is that when man is left to himself he will always twist the truth (creation) into a philosophy of unrighteousness (ex. evolution, mysticism, etc).
Therefore I think it would be good to look at a couple of passages of scripture dealing with Special Revelation. (1) Revelation 22:18-19, here is the warning that no man should add nor take away from the prophecies of Scripture. Thus it is implied there that it is perfect the way that it is and has all that the true believer needs. (2) II Timothy 3:16-17 is another great passage dealing with that of Special Revelation. Allow me to break these verses down a little bit.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God (has all authority of the God-head) and profitable (beneficial)
· for teaching, (Doctrine – What to believe)
· for reproof, (Doctrine – What not to believe) Means
· for correction, and (How not to behave)
· for training in righteousness, (how to behave)
17 so that (in order that) the man of God may be
· competent, equipped for every good work (mature). Purpose
This is the break down of this passage for progressive sanctification. This implicitly states that the God inspired Word is sufficient for all that we are to be doing in life. Therefore we do not need anything outside of Scripture to teach us what we must know to become changed people. Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction IN righteousness are means to a purpose of sanctification. (3) Lastly I would like to look at II Peter 1:3-4 a passage that sums this issue up very precisely.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life (all needs) and godliness (being godly), through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
I don’t know if you are seeing the connection between all of this at this point but here it is. God’s perfect and superior word is all that a person needs for everything in life. If you have made it this far - through all the formal theology of this you are about to see how it all plays out practically. Whether a person is interpreting scripture, going through difficult circumstance, having dreams, praying, or (my favorite) counseling, the Objective Word of God has the all that the believer needs. He does not need outside influence such as “pulling a text out of context to make it apply to your situation”, “open and closed doors”, “good and bad feelings” or “a still small voice” to direct him. Allow me to illustrate it this way and I’ll be finished.
In decision making there are three circles that you can put yourself to the test through. The first being that of Prohibitions in Scripture: Knowledge of God’s Law. The question to ask is, “what does the Bible say about it?” Second is Positive Commands: Wisdom and Discernment. The questions to ask here is, “what is the wisest choice?” Lastly is Christian Liberty: Personal Choice. The issue here after answering the first two hard questions is, "what do you desire to do?"
SHORT CASE STUDY:
Allow me to illustrate... So I'll use myself as the example. There are 300+ girls on my campus and I am looking for a girl to marry. There are two options at this point. First, I can look at them and pray God, I really like girl X would you show me if she is the "right one". And from there I am waiting for a good or bad feeling about girl X. Well at that point a good feeling could be anything from a sinful desire for this girl to something I had to drink. Or it could be a feeling of she is a great godly girl that would serve me well in life as a helpmeet (in others words there is no way of me knowing). Or option two, is that I put her through the "three circles test". The first circle is that of "prohibitions in Scripture" (knowledge of God's Law). Second is that of "Positive commands" (wisdom and discernment). And the third is that of "Christian Liberty" (personal choice). When you start looking at decisions in this light life begins to start making a lot more sense...
So as I look at these girls I look at them and say does this girl live a life that God is pleased with and understands what the Christian life is all about (positional and progressive sanctification (loving God and others)). Next circle is the wisdom test. A question in this circle might look like, “are the directions of my life and her life going in the same direction”, or “am I financially stable enough to be loving and support to a wife”. And lastly the Christian freedom would say if we passed the first two tests marry her or anyone that can pass those tests!
Implications:
Takes so much of the uncertainty out of life.
Enjoy the perfect Word that God has provided us with, not simply for benefit but to learn it, live it, and teach it (Ezra 7:10)!
I hope this was a blessing to any of you out there that might be in the search for "God’s will" and trying to make hard decisions in life. This kind of biblical thinking has changed my life and the way I look at every situation. May you bring God glory in all that you do in your journey through life!
In Christ Alone, | 
