Faith versus Reason

Faith versus Reason

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The first battle between faith and human reason took place in the garden of Eden. Spurred on by the lies of the serpent, Eve began to look at her situation from a purely logical perspective and decided she was being cheated by God out of something good. Her faith faltered as "reasonable" thoughts of self-interest filled her mind.

I am not saying that the way of faith is never logical, but by operating only on the basis of reason, a conflict with the Lord is inevitable. The reason is that His instructions and actions don't always appear reasonable from a human perspective. Although Isaiah 55:8-9 describes God's thoughts and ways as higher than man's, many people judge divine ideas to be lower than human intelligence.

Paul emphasizes this when he points out that God's choices are illogical by the world's standards. His message of salvation seems foolish, and His messengers appear weak and unimpressive. In an age that thrives on recognition, admiration, and importance, a person who believes the Bible is considered a weakling in need of a religious crutch to cope with life. While this description is given in derision, it's actually quite accurate. Recognizing their helplessness, believers lean on Christ so He can raise them to stand with Him in righteousness.

That day in Eden, sin and self-importance entered the human heart. But all the worldly wisdom that fuels our pride is nullified by God. He is looking not for great and impressive people but for weak, humble servants who can boast only in Christ. The Savior alone is their strength and wisdom.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

God's Wisdom

God's Wisdom Revealed

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

After exposing the futility of worldly thinking in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul introduces Christians to the higher realm of godly wisdom. This kind of knowledge and understanding isn't available through human intelligence and reasoning; it comes strictly through divine revelation. Only those indwelt by God's Spirit have "the mind of Christ" (v. 16) and access to "the things freely given" to them by God (v. 12).

Without this supernatural insight, no one can accurately know the Lord or His ways. Many people say they believe in God yet may not have a correct understanding of Him because their perceptions are based on their own thoughts and ideas. It's easier to custom-design a god to fit our preferences than to make the required adjustments that worship of the one true God demands.

Even believers need to guard against trying to fit God into their preconceived image of Him. The Bible is the only reliable source of divine revelation, but we must be careful to consider the Scriptures as a whole—it's critical that we don't just pick and choose the verses we want to believe. For example, by focusing only on passages that emphasize the Lord's lovingkindness while excluding those that speak of His holiness and justice, we misunderstand His true nature.

Let's seek to know the Lord in truth by considering the entire counsel of Scripture. Divine wisdom is available to every believer through the Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May we never try to limit Him to fit our preferences. Instead, may He enlarge our minds to embrace His thoughts.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Titles

A man is what he does.  Titles are a distraction created to deceive obtuse people.

Elite

...being elite is not about how talented you are; it's about how tough and committed you are to getting better.

-Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer's father

Every day of my life, it was drilled into me: Do your work. Tell the truth. Own your own mistakes. Respect your elders. Keep your mouth shut and do the right things. Never quit.

-Urban Meyer speaking of his father in "Above the Line"

You become what you are

This morning is what it is because you were what you were yesterday. Be what you should be today so that you can be what you want to become tomorrow.

Involved or committed?

As with bacon and eggs:

The chicken is involved.

The pig is committed.

Care

People don't care how much you know, they want to know how much you care.

Expectations

Expectation is the root cause of all disappointments.

Logic

Was telling a friend today of my perpetual frustrations at the work place and his response was totally on the money and explains it in a single sentence:

"You're looking for logical reasons to explain illogical behavior."

Perfection

I am a Christian. That does not mean I am perfect. Just forgiven.

Hard work

Work hard in silence...

and let success make the noise.

Be yourself

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Persistence

It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” ~ Albert Einstein

Actions

"You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Do right

It’s never right to do wrong, in order to do something right! 

Love Self

It is a great lesson for those of us to whom the Scripture identifies as “lovers of their own selves” (II Tim. 3:1-2), and those who are interested in their “rights” (Rev. 3:14 – “Laodicean” = “the rights of the people”), who are so prone toward self-promotion and personal advancement, rather than waiting upon God, seeking God, and trusting God.

David teaches us how unnecessary it is to fight for our “rights,” and how God proves His faithfulness when “self” is off of the throne, and we patiently and confidently submit ourselves to Christ’s Lordship, allowing Him to carry out His will in our lives, in His way, and in His time.

Mark Trotter

Saving money

Success

"If you are looking to get something done, look at people who are getting things done."

Humble

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Hard work

“Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.”
― Frank Ocean

Sin is deceitful

Keep in mind as you read about Israel’s affliction in today’s reading, that the Jews had gone down to Egypt and lived off the best of the land (Gen. 47:6). This luxury has now turned into sorrow and suffering. It is an inescapable principle of life! Sin promises freedom and happiness, but in the end, only leads to bondage and sorrow. Be constantly on guard against the “deceitfulness of sin”! (Heb. 3:13; Rom. 7:11; Eph. 4:22)

-Mark Trotter 

3 R's

It’s the same solution our Lord Jesus Christ identified in Revelation 2:4-5 for those times we find ourselves in the world’s snare, having “left our first love.” Jesus said, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” Do you need to follow Jesus’ admonition and Abram’s example? Note the simplicity: Remember. Repent. Repeat. 

Dreams

Dreams without execution is hallucination.