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Resurrection Anglican Church
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ThinkGod invented brains, so it seems like it ought to be ok for us to use them, especially in learning about him and the universe he made. Paul used reason to speak to the Greeks on Mars Hill, and in many of his letters to churches. Of course, we can get very full of ourselves and our intelligence and sophistication, and miss entirely the simple thing that God is trying to teach us (see Matthew 11:25). But he clearly wants us to use the brains he gave us to try to understand his heart, bring us to reconciliation with him, and work through us and with us in the healing of the world. Here are a few of the scriptures that illustrate his respect for the ability to reason with which we have been blessed: NLT Job 23:1 Then Job spoke again: 2 "My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. 3 If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his throne and talk with him there. 4 I would lay out my case and present my arguments. 5 Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. 6 Would he merely argue with me in his greatness? No, he would give me a fair hearing. 7 Fair and honest people can reason with him, so I would be acquitted by my Judge. Acts 24: 24 A few days later Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified. "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again." 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. 27 Two years went by in this way; then Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish leaders, he left Paul in prison. 1 Corinthians 10: 15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am about to say is true. 16 When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the benefits of the blood of Christ? And when we break the loaf of bread, aren't we sharing in the benefits of the body of Christ? 17 And we all eat from one loaf, showing that we are one body. 1 Corinthians 13: 11 It's like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.1 All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. Isaiah 1: 16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; and Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.
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Love
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