One of the most amazing scriptures in the Bible is Isaiah 1:18, where our creator, God, says to one of His creations, “Come now, let us reason together…” Can you imagine God wanting to reason with mankind? He didn’t say that He wanted to show Isaiah something, or that He wanted to tell him something, He said let us “reason together”; jointly, collectively. God is actually addressing the wickedness of Judah. But, knowing God for who He is (and knowing Him very little at that), this is an absolutely amazing statement! I went to Dake to see what he said about this verse and this is what I found.
“Let us settle our differences or put the matter right that is between us. Such reasoning as this – where both parties state their own case, will put an end to all other reasoning and questioning. The sinner will see his need and give himself to God; then God will be just in cleansing him from all sin and making him His son.” (from Fins Jennings Dake’s Annotated Bible)
There is another verse very much like this one in Isiah 43:26; “Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right…”. Again, Dake says in his annotations;
“Here God urged Israel to remember Him as a partner in their long-standing relationship, to reason together with Him, and produce all the arguments possible in their own defense to justify their own backsliding and continued rebellion. On His part He accused them of sin and for this they should be punished. On their part God urged them to bring up any reason, in self defense, either to justify themselves in their actions or prove they were unjustly accused.”
We know Israel failed God many times. (See Isaiah 43: 22-24) In this case God is referring to Israel’s many failures namely the failure:
- To call upon the Lord
- Of becoming weary of Him
- To bring Him their burnt offerings (remember this is Old Testament where burnt offering atoned for sin.)
- To honor Him with sacrifices
- To bring Him sweet cane with honey (this was used in incense)
- To fill Him with the fat of their sacrifices
- To serving Him with their sins
- By tiring Him with their iniquities
Is God also doing this with us? Does He want to reason with us? I always taught that you can’t reason with God. It becomes rationalizing, making an excuse for what you did. It’s like saying to God, “Yes, I realize I sinned, but, this is why and I was justified in doing so”. This doesn’t sound right. Can we be justified in this manner? Should we reason things out with God? If so how?
The World Does Not Reason
Many years ago I read about a psychological test that was done challenging US university students with university students from another country (name withheld). When it came to rote memorization and “book learning” the challenging country excelled immensely. They would quote test books verbatim. The US failed in all categories. However, when it came to practical, “put this knowledge to use trials”, the challenging country didn’t have a clue. They didn’t have the ability to intellectually reason out problems. They knew the information but didn’t know how it should be applied. This is the case with many Christians teachers and Bible students. Memorization of chapter and verse is one thing but we must know, understand and be able to apply scripture to everyday situations, or, it is of little use to us.
Side Note: There is no power in chapter and verse. There is power in the Word only. I have difficulty in rote memorization of chapter and verse from the Bible, but God has given me incite into understanding His Word, what He is saying, and how it should be applied. That is what I share with you.
When I first began teaching Bible studies my wife would often say of my presentations, “That’s very interesting, but, how do I put it to use?” Point taken and it came hard.
Understanding God, understanding scripture, and knowing how to apply this knowledge to your life takes time, study and a willingness to “fight the norm” and say, “everybody has this wrong. This is what the Word really says.” And, have you ever heard a good Bible teacher say, “Back up the Word with the Word”, using two, three or more scriptures. Do it. All this requires a reasoning ability, not a rationalizing ability. I define this as the ability to think and think things through to their divine conclusion. This means not accepting something because it sounds right or because someone “important” said so. We must study and reason for ourselves and with God Himself to come to a truthful conclusion.
Example
Remember Dragnet when Sargent Joe Friday would say; “just the facts ma’am”? We all remember that, but, guess what? That iconic catchphrase was never in Dragnet! Shortly after the premiere of “The Big Lease” episode, Stan Freberg, a comedian, released his parody “St. George and the Dragonet. (spelled correctly)” It was a spoof on Dragnet and records a medieval skit making fun of the TV series and Friday’s character. During one of the scenes, St. George utters the phrase “just the facts, ma’am.” Wow! Now you can see how easily it is to flow with popular belief and not know the truth. I fell for it and I’m sure many of you did also.
Do not believe everything you hear whither it be from your friend, the media or from the Pulpit. (Read my Blog on “The Power of the Pulpit” click here.) When my wife and I first became Christians and went to Church we were told never go to Church without your Bible and a notebook. Right it down and look it up. This is a very good practice to follow today. (Note, I don’t feel like your phone is the Bible.)
The World Wants to Rationalize not Reason
To rationalize is to defend or make an excuse that will justify our actions.
To reason is to account for, explain, or to intellectually understanding. It implies responsibility.
Maybe we lie because telling the truth will hurt the feelings of our friend, or lying will protect us or someone from physical damage. Many, even today, suffer persecution because of their belief. They and/or family members will die, because of their beliefs. But they are not ashamed of the Gospel and suffer the consequences. A simple lie would have solved their problems. These people are called martyrs. We must ask ourselves, what would we do in such a case if we are ill-treated or abused? Jesus faced the same problem and through it all we receive our Salvation and much more.
Let us reason these things out with God and see where it brings us.
We know God does not go back on His Word. His Word is Holy, True and Everlasting. His yes is always yes and His no is always no.
“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” (Hebrews 6:17, 18))
“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.” (Psalm 19:9)
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37)
“But above all my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but, let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” (James 5:12)
A Two Way Street
Reasoning things out with God is a two-way street. I say, …, then He says, His Word. The result of reasoning together with God is that you understand God’s point of view and you understand where you were wrong. God in His infinite wisdom, love and mercy is willing to sit down and talk to you about this. I know of few bosses in this world who will do this. They are too busy. But God is not busy when it comes to His creation. He always has time and wants us to “talk” with Him. Note, “talk”, not always pray or praise, but talk, and with that comes listening and then doing.
In Isaiah 1:18 above God is warning Judah of the danger they are in but is also telling them that their sins “though they be red like crimson, they shall be as (white as) wool”. Pretty good reason for them to change, I would say. The same is true of Isaiah 43:26. In this case it is Israel who sinned. We, who have read the Bible, understand the eminent danger and continuous peril their rebellion brought. But, in His reasoning He mentions the way of truth and the cleansing of sin. This reasoning with God is to settle all arguments in such a manner that they will never be brought up again. The arguments are to be eternally settled and the reward is eternal communion with Him. Did this happen to Israel? No. The arguments remain but a promise is also given and that also remains. This is another example of God’s greatness in mercy and grace.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Don’t Compromise
If we don’t rationalize we usually look for a compromise. That is to find something that will satisfy both parties. Psalm 19:9 and Mathew 5:37 do not accommodate compromise. He will not change. We must change. You know the scriptures that say: God is the same, yesterday, today and forever and those that speak of the renewing or our minds. Stop trying to renew God’s mind.
Remember my saying in many of my papers that compromise is a gray area? There are no gray areas with God. Again, His yes is yes and His no is no. I repeat this over and over and over. But, people, including some Christians, just don’t get it.
Scripture does say that everything has a reason. We often quote Romans 8:28 as our defense. Our scientific community also says the same thing when it speaks of “cause and effect”. However, even “cause and effect” without reasoning can become problematic. We must ask ourselves what is the actual cause and what is the actual effect, not believing what we hear but what we study and reason, whether it be with God or with man. We must know how to reason and this ability must be taught to us from birth through schools and into adulthood. Have you seen this today among our “woke” generation or even our politicians? Rarely.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
It’s Not Too Late
Consider the nine points below
- Be open minded but be open to Christ and His Word first
- Prove all thing by Investigation and Scripture.
- Earnestly seek truth (He is Truth) and don’t imagine you know something (remember Dragnet above).
- Learn to distinguish truth from the appearance of truth.
- Learn about Perspective without being offended (see perception paper click here)
- Learn from others but verify. (Confucius once said, “walking among three people, I find my teacher among them”.)
- Put passion aside. It is a bias that can blind you.
- Get all the facts. Avoid “hear-say” at all cost.
- Study and apply logic as well as reason
Conclusion
Reasoning is an ability that must be learned. When you have learned to reason it becomes a skill that must be applied to life itself. It will affect your thinking, speaking, relationship with others and well as your relationship with God. The ability to reason is very self satisfying and if so, it must be taught. Remember when IBM came out with its famous slogan “THINK”. Well then, Think before you speak, Think before you act, Think before you form an opinion. Your actions will define you.
Remember
Before we act we should always “Think” or “Reason”. By doing so we will be more comfortable assuming responsibility for our actions. Whether we reason first or not, and if we reason and our reasoning is wrong, we are still responsible.
Enough Said
Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16) ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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