The friends of Job who came “to mourn with him, and to comfort him” (2:11 KJV) based many of their responses to him on their personal experiences. For example, the first words from Eliphaz revealed this basis when he said, “Even as I have seen, …” (4:8 KJV). The basis for human experience, wisdom, and reasoning is based upon being able to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Since none of his friends could rationalize the truth of Job’s innocence, they criticized and condemned his persistent defense of innocence which led Job to call them “miserable comforters” (16:2).
Unlike the human wisdom and reasoning of the miserable comforter friends of Job, faith only requires exposure to the Word of God. Since the Word of God originates by/from Him, it is more dependable than everything of the flesh. In 2 Peter 1:16-21, the apostle plainly declares the Word of God to be more dependable than any, and all, personal experience. In the phrase “a more sure word of prophecy” (19), Peter is inspired to declare the existence of something more dependable than the personal experience of seeing Jesus transfigured. The Word of God is more dependable than all personal experience and is the source of the “word of prophecy” (19).
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, the apostle Paul refers to the Scriptural basis of/for the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the Anointed One of God. With respect to Christ’s resurrection, he refers to some who saw the resurrected Messiah. He concluded with his own personal experience with Jesus (8) and identifies himself as being the last one in a series or sequence of seeing the resurrected Christ. If seeing the resurrected Christ, by any other means than faith, is necessary then we are doomed. There is no doubt at all that all those who were alive and saw the resurrected Christ have since died. This means there are no more witnesses to the resurrection. But, it does not mean the resurrection witness is dead.
When the Lord’s churches live in agreement with the Scriptures, the foundation of “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1), they supply, by the enabling of the Holy Spirit, the witness, or testimony, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When church people will live like the people of God and not the people of the world, the evidence of the resurrection of Christ is declared and made known.
For example, in Colossians 3:1-4 (HCSB)
So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
As we approach Easter and our attention turns to the resurrection of Christ, let us renew our resolve and commitment to rejoicing in the truth of the resurrection every day and to live in agreement with the inspired message of God which is more dependable than any, and every, personal experience. By doing so, we will show forth the evidence of the resurrection of Christ until the day He returns.
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.