Am I married?
If I say to someone that I am married I have proven nothing. If I talk an hour about her, telling her name, explaining her upbringing, tell him of her kind-hearted deeds, testify to how we met and describe the wedding ceremony I still have proven nothing. I demonstrate that I appear to genuinely believe these things are true, but to him, really, I have given no proof.
I can show him the wedding ring which occupies the fourth finger of my left hand, but all this proves is that a wedding ring occupies the fourth finger of my left hand. Perhaps it was inherited, or perhaps I just bought it and chose to wear it. It may with my narrative be “evidence” that I am married, but it is not proof, merely evidence awaiting a verdict.
I can show him photographs of my wife, but all this demonstrates is that I claim this person in the picture is my wife.
Perhaps you are thinking the only way this fellow might accept the fact that I am married is for him to have the experience himself of meeting my wife… of hearing her personally claim that she is indeed my wife. But even then the man has not found proof. Good further evidence indeed, but she and I could both be liars.
Now I know I am married. I was intimately present and involved at the ceremony. I spoke the vows publicly and others witnessed this. Most convincing of all I experience her there beside me every morning. I remain faithful to her, and have committed to her all that I have.
This past Sunday Elder Don Longworth quoted Leonard Ravenhill, saying,
“A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.”
It matters not to me what logic, reason or debate others may spew back at me. No one will convince me that my wife does not exist. They may present better argument than I can muster in the moment, but they cannot convince me otherwise. I know she exists not only because I have had the experience of marrying her but also because I continue to know and experience her daily.
The Christian knows the Truth of ‘Christ in him, the hope of glory,’ (Col. 1:27) for he experiences Him daily. The only way any others can know Him is to experience Him as well.
Press on…
To hear Elder Don’s complete message, go to the NEW Lincoln Baptist Church website and look under ‘Sermons Online’ for the Sept. 22 message.
thebrokenrunner 
Amen. Well said. Love the quote by Ravenhill. It is very true.
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