In His Face by Bob Sorge

Author:Bob Sorge [Sorge, Bob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-03-13T18:55:37+00:00

Part Three:

Expressions of Intimacy

CHAPTER EIGHT

Holy Emotions

In the time of the American colonies, God revealed Himself in a mighty way one day to a certain seventeen-year-old lad. God gave him a profound revelation from a single Scripture, 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” This young man wrote in his journal, “There came into my soul a sense of the glory of the Divine Being different from anything I had ever experienced before. I prayed to God that I might enjoy Him, and prayed with a new sort of affection.”

God sparked off an intimate relationship with that young man, using him singularly in a revival that swept through the American colonies — we refer to that revival as “The Great Awakening.” Perhaps you have already guessed that I am speaking of Jonathan Edwards.

Holy Affections

Although Jonathan Edwards is perhaps best known for his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” his ministry was not centered upon judgment and the wrath of God. The central theme of his preaching was that of having an affectionate relationship with God. Jonathan Edwards has been credited by some as the greatest mind America has yet produced, and yet the focus of this brilliant man’s message was to call believers beyond an intellectual embracing of God to a heartfelt delight in beholding the beauty of the Lord.

Edwards taught that the essence of a true spiritual experience is to be overwhelmed by a glimpse of the beauty of God, to be drawn to the glory of His perfection, and to sense His irresistible love. He wrote, “The holy Scriptures do everywhere place religion very much in the affections; such as fear, hope, love, hatred, desire, joy, sorrow, gratitude, compassion, and zeal.” He also said, “He who has no religious affection is in a state of spiritual death and is wholly destitute of powerful quickening influences of the Spirit of God.”

Emotional Versus Soulish

Many people are talking today about having “passion” in one’s relationship with Jesus. Jonathan Edwards used the word “affections.” For the purposes of this chapter, I’d like to use the word “emotions.” God desires to have an emotional relationship with His people.

I understand you might have a problem with that word. Passion, yes; affections, yes; but emotions? I’ve heard many disparaging remarks about our emotions. “Let’s not get carried away with our emotions.” “We don’t want any emotional responses around here, we want the real thing.” Have you forgotten the Scripture that says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1)?

“Your style of praise is simply emotionalism,” they complain. True praise is not emotionalism, but it is emotional. Your emotions are not evil. They were given to you by God for holy purposes.

I would like to distinguish between what is “emotional” and what is “soulish.” Emotions without the Spirit is soul. Emotions with the Spirit is passion.

Anything that is truly of God always begins in your spirit.

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