December 21

‘We have received…the Spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.’ – 1 Corinthians 2:12

   For the purpose of this lesson, I feel it is important to define OC’s use of the word ‘experience’. Experience, according to OC, is our perception of reality. It is how reality interacts specifically with us in a self-centric way. This definition of experience is incompatible with how we are to interact with the world as Christians. When we receive the Spirit and accept the gift of Redemption, it becomes apparent that reality is not at all about us. We begin to truly experience the world without the prism of sin, allowing us to view the world for what it is.

   ‘Reality is the Redemption, not my experience of the Redemption,’ says OC. The things that surround us become secondary to Christ after we accept His Redemption. Like turning on a light in a dark room, reality is illumined after accepting the Spirit. It is plain to see things for what they are. There is no need to find justification in our surroundings because we are already justified.

   The important thing to remember here is that after we accept Christ, we no longer own our experiences. We become vessels for Him. Our experiences no longer serve our needs, they become circumstances through which we may grow in Christ and help others to do likewise.

   One of my favorite phrases is this: ‘Let go and let God’. OC’s lesson this morning is exactly that. We are to let go of our ‘experiences’ and allow God to pervade our reality.