What
is prophetic existence? How are we to comprehend and apply this perspectives
and way of life as Christians?
First,
it must be clear that this existence is something that concerns individual
Christians, with those who have set their hearts to follow after Jesus Christ
in true discipleship. In other words, it is an existence that results in
discipleship reflecting Christlikeness or living lives patterned after the Lord
Jesus, the Son of Man. He too had an earthly and human existence. When His
disciples endeavour to live simply and effectively like Him, then prophetic existence
becomes a reality.
There
are three levels in prophetic existence. Firstly, it starts with the inner motive, the motive
of the heart. The only motive for a prophetic existence is the love of GOD – God’s love in Christ towards
the Christian and the Christian’s love for God. Secondly, it is worked out
on the level of daily and ordinary life. It is WHOLESOME,
not a separate entity all together – physically and spiritually. It has a direct connection with life in the flesh
and blood. Thirdly, prophetic existence has a definite measure of
effectiveness, which is both immediate and long term. It is an effective because it is a life that influences others and people around will
respond to it – positively or negatively. The response, beginning with immediate
situations, has far reaching consequences. The life of Christ Jesus showed
evident of all three levels in the four gospels.
In
short, the prophetic evidence is a TRANSFORMED life of an individual disciple,
both spiritually and in a community. This life is made up of deeds, actions and
experience generated from the knowledge of God in His Son and Saviour. These
deeds, actions and experiences can be explained by words. Prophetic existence for
all disciples of Jesus Christ is a costly business because their personalities
are involved, their minds, emotions , will and bodies. It is costly to give
themselves lifelong, like the son of Man himself.
The Environment
Environment
is a vital factor in a prophetic existence. This existence takes place here on
Earth in a human society under time and space conditions. Jesus Christ lived in
a historical period of time and in a given geographical location. This means
that prophetic existence is related to the physical, social, domestic and
secular life of a Christian in a given time and place. The practical details of
life: eating, drinking, clothing, shelter, conducting daily chores, are
included in the context. These facts of life are true. However, in the
prophetic existence the stress is not on the mere fact of physical life but in
the manner and the quality of the life that is lived.
Prophetic
existence can be felt in its environment. Because this existence is lived out
primarily and even exclusively to please God and to fulfill His purpose, its
effect can be seen in human relationships and in society. The greatest evident,
is the quality of life one lived.
The Results
Subjectively,
prophetic existence brings mounting
suffering to the person who follows the course. This suffering could be
physical, mental and spiritual. It could come in the form of anguishing
loneliness and misunderstandings in society. There are indeed many expressions
of suffering. Suffering is therefore inherent in the prophetic existence and
this will be felt by both the individual and the group.
Objectively, prophetic existence bears the marks of an unmistakable message from God. People will know it as a message of comfort, challenge, exhortation, encouragement or judgement. It will challenge those who are not living under God to know His will for their lives and to live this out in a down-to-earth way. This is the way of God for man, to live in ordinary circumstances but with a heavenly touch.
In
short, the prophetic existence has a transforming effect on others. Such
transformation will also affect society itself and make it new because
individuals are inwardly transformed.
The working out of this wonderful existence is similar to that of salt in
organic matter and light in dark places.
Finally,
prophetic existence is a reality. Men and women will know that a prophet or a
prophetic group works in their midst. This is God’s gracious and loving
provision for this desperate world.
(Excerpts
from article, Prophetic Existance, P T Chandapilla , IFES 1976)
