God’s Word Validates our Experiences

2 Peter 1:19 “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

There are a lot of people out there today with all sorts of opinions and interpretations for us on how to live. How many self-help books have been written to better our lives? But, you have to admire the old Bereans of Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Greek Macedonia. They didn’t believe anything they heard or read and only half of what they saw, until they checked everything against “The Book”; the Word of God. “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” - Acts 17:11. They had their source of authority straight.

One devotional that I read points out that in this important opening passage, Peter explains the ultimate source of his writings. He did not merely repeat cunningly devised fables when he taught majestic things about the Lord Jesus Christ, but was himself an “eyewitness” of His glory and personally heard the very voice of God on the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Peter 1: 16-18). The three chosen disciples witnessed His prophesied glory and heard God speak of Christ’s pleasing Sonship. There could be no doubt of God’s special plan of salvation through His Son. As eyewitnesses, they bore the responsibility of bearing witness to the facts for us and glory of God.

John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This egotistic world preaches a “Me first”, “Look at me”, and “What’s in it for me” sermon, but Peter downplayed the importance of his own personal testimony, even though it was a firsthand account and quite important, and he knew it was absolutely correct. The “more sure word of prophecy” he recommended, however, which outshines any human testimony, was the Holy Spirit inspired written Word of God, for the Transfiguration confirmed numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ. Prophecies already fulfilled multiply our confidence in the rest of Scripture.

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

The article I read brings light to our oftentimes backwards vision and understanding as oral or written testimony of human observers, no matter how trustworthy they may be, is still subject to human error and not “inerrant” in the same way as Scripture. Christians must always remember that the written Word of God is more certain than personal memories or impressions. The experiences we have must never be viewed as validating God’s Word. Rather, God’s Word validates our experiences. The early church only had a few portions of the New Testament in those days of beginning, but thankfully, we have it all and have ready access to it. Peter recognized it as superior to any personal testimony. How much more should we deem it trustworthy and authoritative? Totally, my brothers and sisters of Father God. Blessed be the Word of God.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

In Christ, Brian