When I use logical deductive reasoning skills, and contemplate the world, my mind that serves Christ at times seems to take a backseat, as it were.
When I allow, for that truly is the proper word, allow, my emotions to guide me, my flesh rules over the mind that serves Christ as well.
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Gal. 3:1)
It is not a balance we seek between logic and emotions, it is a submissive and humble heart that we yearn for, to walk humbly with the Lord our God, to be empty vessels waiting to be filled, studying and contemplating His Word while we wait.
To have a purpose for Christ one must not allow either the mind or the flesh to control us, the mind of Christ yes, the heart that desires to serve well, yes, but deductive reasoning and feelings must always take a back seat to obedience.
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1st Sam. 15:22)
There is a trap in logic, it wants, it demands answers that cannot be questioned, concrete evidence that cannot be disputed, and faith can find no ground there.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)
To walk in faith is in a sense a walk of the lack of sight, that glass will remain dark until we see His face, the Scriptures must be accepted as truth without visible, reasonable verification. If you saw Him die on that cross and then three days later walked and talked with Him it would be easier, but that is why He said, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
He was talking to us.
Archeological digs, ancient documents, verifiable, tangible facts are for those who must see to believe. Faith has no place there.
Those who need to feel the closeness of the Lord, who need some emotionally uplifting moments in their lives, who search far and wide for that next exhilarating moment are always searching and can never honestly know if indeed the presence of the Lord has visited them or if their heart is deceiving them.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9)
The highs are offset by the extreme lows, exaltation is replaced by depression, the fruits they produce, if any at all, rots on the vine, for they have no true foundation.
Empty vessels waiting to be filled, rejoicing in the moment as well as in the waiting, always sober minded.
The Almighty seeks for those who are not easily swayed by logical processes, He searches for those who have learned, or are at least willing to learn, how to tame their hearts, men who care not if it is beside the still water or into the fire, as long as they are willing to be filled, He will fill them.
The wise man knows He will not stay filled though, when He is, there is a purpose, a task to be accomplished, he does not contemplate the logic behind it, he obeys in faith, he does not allow his heart to sway him from the intended goal, he pursues it until it is accomplished. Then he waits patiently, seeking the face of God until he is filled again.
“Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Romans 9:21)
Does He with you? Are you prepared to stop looking for proof and to walk in faith? Can you leave your emotions behind you and concentrate on what you have been called to do? If you have to see Him, your faith, if it exists, is small. If you need to feel Him, His presence in your life, and that often, then you will never take those steps of faith.
Faith is a fact that cannot be proven by deductive reasoning, cannot be proven by any emotional context. It must be lived and died for.
