THE BATTLE OF REASONING AND FAITH?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
Isa. 1:18, Come now let us reason together.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.---
Numbers 13: 30: Caleb stills the people and said," Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 13:31 But the men that went up with him said, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GO UP against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Faith? Reason?
I ponder, could everything hinge on FAITH?
I ponder whose report are you believing? Why?
We fail to realize that listening to words can bring life or they can bring death?
I would like to teach how faith learns to recognize the value of rightly spoken words, and the danger of misspoken words.
I have been pondering the difference between faith and reasoning.
I ponder the influence of faith vs reasoning. As we ponder this I would like to direct our pondering to several areas.
Case one would be the fact that reasoning is very good.
The Bible says: Isa. 1:18, Come now let us reason together.
But know reasoning can be a faith killer. Reasoning can focus all our attention on thellimitations and the negative until we fall into the pit of doom and gloom. Ponder this.
It is very hard these days to know who to believe.
A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair by showing how conditioned we have become to alarmists spreading fear of everything in our environment through junk science.
In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "Dihydrogen monoxide" because:
1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting.
2. It is a major component in acid rain.
3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state.
4. Accidental inhalation can kill you.
5. It contributes to erosion.
6. It decreases the effectiveness of automobile brakes.
7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.
He asked 50 people if they support a ban. 43 said yes.
Six were undecided. Only one knew that the chemical is ... water.
(Phil Proctor, "Planet Proctor," Funny Times, December 1997, p. 5.) Reasoning overwhelmed logic? Sign a petition against water? The facts were true?
The toy was the emotions and ignorance.
Faith without reasoning is as dangerous as zeal without wisdom.
We need to reason, but there is a higher plane of spiritual life.
I love the story that Charles Haddon Spurgeon used. He described that Reason carries much excess luggage, and would dwarf growth.
Charles said faith must become stronger than reason.
Spurgeon used a story: Faith and Reason were often fellow travelers. Faith was a healthy man and he could walk 30 to 40 miles a day without any problem. Reason was more child like and could only walk 3 or 4 miles.
The whole walk Reason complained and griped each step.
One day Reason asked to walk with Faith.
Faith said, "Reason you cannot walk with me, we have different purposes."
Reason persisted and the journey was begun.
As the journey progressed, Reason could not keep up the pace that Faith set. Faith quietly marched onward. Reason discussed all the possibilities and the potentials and lagged far behind.
The two neared a large river.
Reason says, "We can never ford this massive stream. Let us wait and build a bridge."
Faith waded into the river and sang a song of praise, as the river was no obstacles at all.
Faith and Reason approached a big, high mountain.
In great despair, Reason said, "This mountain is too great, we can’t climb this.
There is no way we can climb such a great land mass. Let us sit down hear and evaluate this situation."
Faith looks at Reason, and sees his value, so in order not to leave Reason behind, Faith is obliged to carry Reason over the mountain.
There is a lesson we must learn: OH, WHAT LUGGAGE REASON CAN BE TO FAITH!
We need balance to understand: Faith launches, where Reason is idle.
What is faith?
Does faith give credence to everything it hears?
What does faith mean?
Could you reduce faith’s definition to two words?
I have ponder this.
If I could only use two words to define faith they would be: CERTAIN and SURE.
Yet, my reason knows there is very little certain or sure things in this world. Christians must learn to operate in a level that reaches far beyond reason into the realm of FAITH!
Many times faith is discussed in the Bible.
We have lessons of those with great faith and those with little faith. Many times we find how important faith can be to the men and women of God. But there is only one place in the Bible where faith is defined.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.---
Notice the definition begins with NOW. Often while Faith awaits better conditions, it lapses back into reason?
Hebrews 11:1 (Living) What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it ahead.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NAS; RSV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses).
How powerful is the though that faith can be the title deed of our walk?
Today, we are pondering Faith and reason and their role in our everyday life. As we ponder faith and reasoning, we must also consider the role that WORDS can play to release faith or reasoning.
Consider: WORDS OF FAITH --- Numbers 13: 30: Caleb stills the people and said," Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Caleb has seen a situation and BY FAITH has made a determination and a statement of faith.
Consider the next verse? WORDS OF REASONING ---
Numbers 13:31 But the men that went up with him said, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GO UP against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Now I ask you which statement was correct? Both? The reasoning words became prophetic. 40 long, hard years will follow the decision, WE CAN’T.
The story hinges upon FAITH vs Reasoning.
They both saw the same thing? Well, yes and no.
The focus of reason was on the giants, the focus of faith was beyond what could be seen, there was a statement of -- LET’S TRUST GOD’S PROMISES!
There comes into a view, CHOICE --- who will I believe?
By relying on the reasoning ability the door of opportunity was closed. Yet 40 years later, Caleb and Joshua will step into the promise.
1. WHO HAS FAITH?
Rom. 12:3 --- according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. God has given you enough faith to handle any need that will arise in your daily walk. It is not how much faith you have, but rather how you use what faith you have.
Luke 17:5, They came to Jesus and asked Jesus for a FAITH LIFT. Lord, increase our faith. Jesus gives a great lesson, if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed... We need to learn how to exercise the faith that we have. Could faith be like muscles, use it or lose it? The more you use it, the more you have?
2. HOW DO WE GET FAITH?
Rom. 10:17, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing the word of God. Again, know the word of God does the work of God. Read the word. Study the word. Hear testimonies ... for great tests make great testimonies. Listen as God’s man preaches ... FAITH WILL COME FORTH
3. FAITH BUILDS MEMORIALS.
Faith without works is dead -- James 2:17. Works without faith is limited --Heb. 6:1.
In Matthew 26:13, we find a good balance of faith and works, Mary has been used to advance the Kingdom. The word declares Mary’s faith will told as a memorial. She did what she could. How about you?
4. FAITH SPEAKS BEYOND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE GRAVE.
Abel’s blood speaks to all. Abel had faith that offered the first fruits. Abel’s sacrifice acknowledged faith in God. Abel’s gift births a HOPE out of this world.
Cain’s lack of faith speaks very loudly. Cain gave birth to a spirit of rage, birthed out of jealousy and selfishness. Cain became an enemy of the true worshipper and gave himself to cruel persecution. Later, Cain speaks the reasoning power, my punishment is more than I can bear.
The faith of Abel speaks as an example and as an instructive power.
5. FAITH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TRAIT OF GOD’S SERVANTS, from the beginning until the last day.
Ponder the nature and the power of faith. Faith is an object of HOPE, LOVE, PATIENCE. Those that belong to God had a firm persuasion and expectation that GOD WILL ... FAITH PROVES TO THE MIND, THE REALITY OF THE UNSEEN TO THE EYES.
Faith will birth obedience, submission, service, patient sufferings. When reasoning says what’s the use? Faith steps into the unknown.
Consider the faith of Noah? Enoch? Abraham? Jacob? Daniel? Joseph? Moses? Rahab?
6. ALL FAITH WILL BE TESTED! Faith’s testing can push one to their limit.
I can’t imagine the Faith that Abram had, as he rented a U-Haul truck for an unknown destination? The Lion’s den appears cruel to Daniel? The fiery furnace, 7 times hotter than the norm seems cruel to 3 men? Lazarus in the grave, pushes the extreme? Noah’s over a century of hard labor? --- Dad, where is the lamb? Abraham was required to place his dream on the altar? Joseph should have been bitter and mean to his brothers?
7. FAITH OFTEN REQUIRES A SEPARATION
Many had to leave their family and friends? Others had to leave their comfort and safety zones? Many had to change their career and interest? FAITH MUST OFTEN BURN ALL THE BRIDGES AND SAFETY NETS TO ACCOMPLISH A COMPLETE TRUST IN THE DIVINE.
8. FAITH OVERCOMES THE UNDESERVING.
Samson failed and never deserved victory? David was involved in adultery and murder? Rahab was a harlot? Abraham was a liar? Peter was a denier? We all sin and come short ... we just don’t stay down. Let faith arise out of the pig pen and return to the PLAN of the Father!
All Faith must operate beyond reason in the realm of promise. All faith shall be tested. Learn to expect the test! learn to thrive in times of testing? Lay hold of the promise! Be an OVERCOMER! Be cheerful!
Our walk hinges on the operation of faith in a complete trust in the WORD of GOD!
9. FIRST STEPS ARE BABY STEPS! When I first accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, everything was greener, love abounded, no faults could I see. I felt so good and wonderful, BUT THEN CAME FAITH...
2 COR. 5:7 FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT ... TEACH ME THIS LESSON LORD!
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Pass it on?
