Reason

​There are those who walk by faith and there are those who walk by reason.  There are those who think they trust in God and those who trust they think.  
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If the New Testament teaches that we are to walk by faith than our challenge is to trust God in the pursuit of living according to His Word and the leading of His Holy Spirit.  The lifestyle of holiness that Jesus modeled and called us to emulate usually places us directly in conflict with the world—the same world that crucified Him.  The logical conclusion is the more godly we become the more we can expect to suffer. Our challenge is to agree with the Apostle Paul—“For me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Philippians 1:21). 

​The place of reason is to support not replace faith.  “But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).  Yet, may I suggest that the power of reason hinders our ability to trust and obey God more than we might believe.  For example, there is nothing ambiguous about the Great Commission Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 28:19,20 to His disciples. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of  all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  It is an unpopular heavenly mandate which necessitates making personal sacrifices in order to accomplish.  So why are so few complying with Christ’s command?  Reason dictates setting aside these verses because they are: not addressed to us but only to Jesus’ disciples; unrealistic; offensive to many people; only written for ministers and missionaries; or, secondary to other more vital causes.
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In a climate of rain, moss grows upon one's roof.  Moss builds upon itself and if it is not removed hastens the decline of shingles until eventually the roof leaks.  In a climate of fear, reason grows upon one's faith.  Reasoning creates excuses and if left unchecked paralysis sets in and faith cannot overcome fear. Are you living more by faith or by reason? 
 
Meditation
Psalm 94:11--The Lord knows man’s thoughts; they are meaningless.
 
Inspiration
Whenever I say “I want to reason this thing out before I can trust,” I will never trust.  The reasoning out and the perfection of knowledge come after the response to God has been made.  If we would learn, on the threshold of life with God, to put away as impertinent and even iniquitous the debates as to whether or not we will trust God, we would not remain under the delusions we do; we would abandon without the slightest hesitation, cut the shore lines, burn our bridges behind us, and realize that what has happened is the positive miracle of the Redemption at work—we know with a knowledge that passes knowledge.—Oswald Chambers in God’s Workmanship
 
©1998 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)