Experience

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 3-5 KJV)

"Experience" is from the Greek word "dokimē" and means, according to Strong, -

1) proving, trial
2) approved, tried character
3) a proof, a specimen of tried worth

This is what every Christian should desire of God in the progress of his spiritual growth in Christ. It is certainly something that both God and the church prize in the character of the Christian. A Christian is a man of deep spiritual experience. His initial entrance into the family of God by spiritual rebirth was a unique and wonderful "experience," a mystical phenomenon. From that moment on the life of the Christian is one long saga, one long adventure, one long series of "experiences," both multitudinous and varied. These experiences make the Christian a "tried character," one with "experience," and with knowledge and skill obtained by those trials and experiences.

A "tested" or "tried" Christian is one who is of a character that makes him spiritually "experienced." Generally, men who have experienced much also understand much, wisdom and understanding often coming as men learn by experience life's valuable lessons.

In the above order of things the apostle mentions tribulations or trials of faith, as they regularly occur in the life of the Christian, as that which produces "patience" or "perseverence," and that in turn produces "experience" or "trials of learning."

"How that in a great trial (experience) of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." (II Corinthians 8: 2 AV)

The "great trial" or "great experience" of the saints in affliction are ordained means of spiritually educating the Christian and of imparting unto him necessary wisdom. These sanctified and blessed "experiences" of the Christian are the means of not only teaching him but of also "shaping his character," or forging it, as it were, in the fires of trial and deep meaningful experiences in life. By these the Christian "enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience." (John Gill)

The value of an experienced Christian is exceedingly great. Such an one is "skilled" and "trained" in the spiritual "school of hard knocks." His learning in the things of God have come in the school of experience and trial. To "know by experience" is a great asset and an important item in one's spiritual "resume."

"Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel." (Joshua 4: 31 NIV)

What a great value are such "elders" in a community, in a family, in a church! Elders with much "experience" in life and who therefore have wisdom and knowledge that others of lessor experience do not possess. A Christian who has had experiences in life, in ministry and service to the Lord, in great afflictions and trials of faith, is a great asset to all the groups mentioned. It is certainly something to take advantage of, is it not? How good to be able to call upon men and women of vast experience in things for their wisdom and understanding!

"And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake." (Genesis 30: 27 KJV)

"I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." (Ecclesiastes 1: 16 KJV)

Oh that our tribulations would produce, via patience, this "great experience of wisdom and knowledge"! These are "experiences" that God blesses a man to learn from. If we do not learn from the things we suffer and experience from day to day, then of what use or good are they? If we are not wiser by our trials, then they defeated us, rather being defeated by us.

A Christian life that is blessed and led by the Holy Spirit will be filled with God ordained "experiences" that have a gracious design. Jesus "learned obedience by the things which he suffered (or experienced)." (Hebrews 5: 8) Paul said - "no (Christian) one should be moved by these afflictions: as you know we for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." (I Thessalonians 3: 3 KJV)

"These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience)..." (Judges 3: 1, 2 NIV)

"...experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty." (I Chronicles 12: 33 NIV)

Christians are "soldiers of Jesus Christ." (II Timothy 2: 3) How valuable are tried and tested, skilled and experienced soldiers of Jesus Christ! Men and women who have been through spiritual "boot camp," and have been on the "front lines" of heated combat! What a great help is their experience for the young recruits!

Friend, what of your personal "experiences"? Are they the kind that have been produced from spiritual patience and perseverence? Has your "experiences" produced "hope," as it does in the Christian, or does it produce "despair" and "dread" of the future?

God is able to bless and sanctify all your experiences, and cause them to yield good in you and for you. Every Christian has the promise that God will be "Lord of his circumstances," and "God of his disasters," and the Sustainer and Instructor of him in each experience of life.