Is there a battle between faith and reasoning, think about this for a min. No why don’t you ponder on it for a time. Take some serious time and really dive into it, is there a battle? I truly believe there is. Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Numbers 13:30 says this; Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
Faith or Reason ? I ask you could everything hinge on Faith? And who’s report are you believing and why are you believing it? as much as we hate to do it we need to realize that listening to words can bring Life and they can also result in Death.
I’ve been thinking about the difference between faith and reasoning, I wonder about Faith vs. Reasoning.the bible states that reasoning can be very good, Isaiah 1:18 says “Come. Sit down. Let’s argue this out.” But know reasoning can be a faith killer. Reasoning can focus all our attention on the limitations and the negative until we fall into the pit of doom and gloom. It can be very hard sometimes to truly trust and know just who to believe.
Faith without reasoning is as dangerous as zeal without wisdom. We need to reason, but there is a higher plane of spiritual life. let me share this short story by Charles Spurgeon, He described that Reason carries much excess luggage, and would dwarf growth. He said faith must become stronger than reason.
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 had 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 cross 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 credit to everything it hears? What does faith mean?
Could you define Faith in two words? I have thought on this for sometime and if I could only use two words to define faith they would be: CERTAIN and SURE.
Many times faith is discussed in the Bible. We learn 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 says this. The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.( the message) .
Consider: WORDS OF FAITH, Numbers 13: 30 says this, 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. Think about the next verse, WORDS OF REASONING Numbers 13:31 says, 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 in this statement,” LET’S TRUST GOD’S PROMISES!”
Faith will birth obedience, submission, service, patient sufferings. When reasoning says whats the use? ,,Faith steps us into the unknown. Consider the faith of Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, Moses.
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?
Sometimes faith asks us to endure separation, leaving our friends and family, leaving our comfort and safety zones, sometimes even changing our careers and interest. FAITH MUST OFTEN BURN ALL THE BRIDGES AND SAFETY NETS TO ACCOMPLISH A COMPLETE TRUST IN THE DIVINE
We all have sinned and fallen short,, but lets not stay there , lets rise above it and return to the PLAN of our FATHER!
All faith will be tested, learn to expect the TEST, we must learn to thrive in times of testing, Grab hold of God’s promise be an OVERCOMER! Our walk hinges on the operation of faith in a complete trust in the WORD of GOD! Blessings
