Reason

<<cause, logical thinking>>

There is the principle of cause and effect (also called sowing and reaping), with consequences to the actions (or lack of), and repercussions to all we do (or don't do). Reason is based on facts and logic, not emotional ideas and feelings. God gave us brains to use and the Scriptures as His guidebook for life. Paul taught by reasoning and clear explanation about Jesus, not by emotional persuasion (Act 17:1-3). The apostles convincing discussions required either a rejecting or accepting of the truth he shared.

However, reason is not adequate for a full (abundant) life. We cannot solve all of life’s problems by our own reasoning, yet the goal of reaon and logic is to find truth. As Jesus claimed to be the truth, reason and logic should lead us to Jesus every time (Jn 14:6). Our understanding and wisdom is very limited compared to God’s. We need to trust God to achieve what we cannot. We are to live by faith not sight, with our lives governed by and submitted to Him, rather than based in the false security of this world’s knowledge (Rom 1:17). Don’t act rashly, take a balanced thought-out approach, “If it is of man it will fail, but if it is of God, you won’t be able to stop it” (Act 5:30-40).

God doesn’t operate by man’s rules of reason or logic (Isa 55:8,9). He looks at the inner values of the heart (character) and strengthens those who are fully committed to Him (2 Chr 16:9). “Without faith it is impossible to please God” and sometimes faith may challenge human reason – in the same way as the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross seems foolish to the reasoning of unbelievers (1 Cor 1:18-2:5).

Reason and emotions are both necessary human attributes but they can conflict. If people’s emotions are out of control they will not listen to reason or logic (1 Sam 8:4-21; Mt 27:15-26). Yet cold logic and facts should not be used to belittle people expressing emotions which are part of our God-given nature, but are to be kept under control.

Some people wrongly believe that faith and reason are incompatible but Christianity has never set faith against reason; science and Christianity are not in conflict. There are some mysteries God does not reveal to humans though people often try to explain situations they know nothing about

The existence of God is the most obvious truth that reason discovers

(Deut 29:29). Had the ‘wise’ people of Jesus’ day truly known who He was, they would not have crucified Him (1 Cor 2:8).

God is sovereign and there are no random, out-of-control happenings for everything happen for a reason even if His purposes may be hidden from us. Joseph acknowledged God's purpose in allowing the harsh he received as being different to the objective of his brothers (Gen 50:20). There was a reason for the man's blindness even though the disciples misidentified it (Jn 9:1-3). The authorities in Jerusalem had an evil intention to crucify Jesus, but God's reason based on righteousness was to destroy Satan's work and provide salvation for humanity (Act 4:28; 1 Jn 3:8).

Several factors help us to know that everything happens for a reason and not dependant on chance or coincidence:

1/. Due to original sin in the Garden of Eden, the world is under a curse resulting in sickness, natural disasters and death (Gen 3:17). If you are questioning why you are subject to an illness or trying situation, the answer may be one or more of the following: just because we live in a fallen world; God is testing you and strengthening your faith; God in love is disciplining you (1 Cor 11:29,30; Heb 12:7-13).

2/. The natural law of cause and effect, also termed sowing and reaping (Gal 6:7,8). For every action and word, whether good or evil, there are certain inevitable results that follow, although some may only be revealed in the next life (Mt 6:20; Mk 10:30; Col 3:23-25). Not only will we reap the kind of harvest we have sown but also in proportion to what was sown (2 Cor 9:6).

3/. The providence of God who works out His purposes through natural processes in the physical and social universe. Every effect can be traced back to a natural cause, and there is no hint of the miraculous. (A miracle is when He sovereignly works outside the natural course). As believers we acknowledge God arranges our affairs with all things, even tragedy working for our good and they will culminate in a good end (Rom 8:28; Phil 1:6).