Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

And it is well known that men have, hence, adopted two methods of inquiry into the truth and
divinity of Christianity -- the argumentative and experimental methods. In the first we argue from
given facts -- facts outside of consciousness -- to a conclusion as to the truth of the theory supposed
to be supported by them. From the facts of miracles and prophecy, for example, we argue to the
conclusion that the God who wrought the one and inspired the other authorized and approved the
utterances of those through whose instrumentality he did these things.
The other is the experimental method, already adverted to. In it the testimony of consciousness
or experience brings us to a more satisfactory conclusion as to the truth and value of Christianity.
The knowledge or proof received in this way comes from experimental tests, while in the other it
results from a more or less intricate process of reasoning.
We need hardly say that an experiment is an act or series of acts by which we try to discover
something unknown, to establish something only partially known, or to test the truth of a theory
about which there is doubt. It is an attempt to discover the unknown by the use of the known; to test
the truth of a theory that occurs to us or which others claim to have established, and about which
there is doubt -- to test it by applying a principle or method suggested by them or known to us or
others. Simple experiments test the theory that fire warms us, that food nourishes us, that water
quenches our thirst, and that certain medicines heal us.
The conviction or experience resulting from such experiment is very decided, and the testimony
to others coming from such experience ought to be most decisive and satisfactory -- much more so
than that which springs from the result of a process of reasoning.
Our Lord prescribed the experimental method of investigation, and enjoined the duty of testifying
or witnessing to others of the result of such experiment. To the Jews who questioned his Messiahship
and the authority of his utterances, he said: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Whatever else the Saviour means to
teach here, he evidently leaves us to infer that experiment is practicable and valuable in matters of
religion. Also that we may test the truth of his doctrines by the experiment here suggested -- the
wishing to know and the effort at doing God's will. We are aware of the construction put on these
words, which leaves out the latter part of the experiment just stated, and makes our Lord say, "If any
man wills or wishes to do God's will," etc., without any reference to his doing it. But we insist that
any man who wishes to know or do God's will is ready and is trying to do it, so far as it is already
known to him -- shows the sincerity of his desire by such a course.
As already suggested, the Jews, to whom he addressed these words, denied or doubted his divinity
and his authority to teach them, and virtually charged him with being an impostor. Then "Jesus
answered them and said, If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine," etc. He said
substantially: "I tell you what I know to be God's truth; test the authority and truthfulness of my
utterances by an experiment. I declare to you what I know to be God's will; satisfy yourselves by the
test of the experience, which will come to you if you will do his will, as it is revealed by your
prophets, or as I make it known to you. The result will be that you shall know as I do, that my
doctrine is from God."