It takes three sides to make a triangle

As we all know, a triangle has three sides. And it takes all three sides to make it complete. The Christian life is like a triangle – it has three sides and all three are vital.

What are these three sides? Knowledge and Faith. Works. Experience.

Knowledge and Faith
The Christian Faith is propositional. But who do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. You cannot be a Christian without knowing this, and believing it. The Faith is concerned with Truth, and we must be taught these truths and have them carefully explained. Knowing these truths is vital, for as God declares, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. And linked to this knowing is faith. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And of course, the just shall live by faith. Therefore, we need to be taught the Scriptures and the Faith; we need to be encouraged to believe these things and to believe God; we need to be strengthened in faith.

Works
This is an ugly word in many evangelical circles, yet it is a vital component of the Christian life. Paul, the great teacher of salvation by grace wrote, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. And, that oft-quoted passage on grace, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast goes on to say, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. And, This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. And, Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. And listen to Jesus our Savior himself, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” This is why James can say, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Christian life is not just a matter of knowing and believing the right things. We must be concerned about and encouraged to be obedient and full of good works. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Any teaching or movement that does not emphasize this is not teaching the Gospel. Of course, it’s not about me trying to win God’s acceptance by what I do and it’s not a matter of me gritting my teeth and trying my best, in my own power, to obey. Which leads us to the third component…

Experience
If works is an ugly word among evangelicals, experience is a dirty word. What a shame! By this very fear and avoidance of experience, evangelicals run the risk of reducing the Christian life to sterile head knowledge and a mere philosophy of life. Yes, there are experiences in the Christian life, and praise God for them! And we should teach the saints about them and exhort them to press on into them. What kind of experiences?

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is… 

And is not every answered prayer an experience? What about the peace that passes all understanding? And, joy unspeakable and full of glory? And most of all, the presence of God? I tell you, the gospel is full of experience!

Oh I know, there are those who get carried away by experiences. And others who stress doing so much they seemingly lose sight of grace. But you know what, there are many who place all the stress on knowledge and faith, reducing the Christian life to merely knowing the right answers. Is that not just as unbalanced?

The Gospel teaches us that God wants us to know and believe some things, do some things, and experience some things. Jesus is alive. Faith in Jesus Christ changes the way I live and what I do and will produce many wonderful experiences! Amen.

Now, I have to ask myself, How's my triangle?