CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

This Month's Theme: 

“Chain of Reasoning”

A conclusion is the last part of a chain of reasoning , based on the summary of all the information gathered. Based on this description the best conclusions are those that follow and are based on gathering all the facts. However, not one of us has ever gone without jumping to conclusions (deciding things before we have all the facts). Never has this concept of jumping to conclusions been more apparent than in the religious world today!

The Apostle Peter, writing to Christians scattered to northern Asia Minor prior to the destruction of Jerusalem ; gives these brethren a warning concerning a coming calamity. In this warning we have a pattern that must be considered by you and me, today, note:

1 Peter 4:16-18 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Here based on the time of Peter's writing, we learn that Peter is not referring to the judgment at the end of the Christian dispensation. Therefore, he is referring to the persecutions that God will allow to come on His people in this life. These persecutions are designed to test their faith as to whether they are true children of God.

The salvation of the righteous is no uncertain matter, and the scriptures in no place indicate any doubt about it. As to whether a man becomes and remains righteous is another subject. The trials these Christians were to be submitted to would test their faith in God (pilgrims in a foreign land, outsiders, strangers, under new governments, and knowing that their homeland would soon fall under terrible desolations). This test would be additionally difficult if they only received limited amounts of information to assist them in their time of need. However, Peter would write them again and comfort them in their hope, by adding to that hope, specific information that would help them draw the necessary conclusions, note:

2 Peter 1:16-21 “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Here, Peter tells these brethren that they have the sum of the whole of the information, and that they can, through the proper chain of reasoning, conclude that their hope is sound. Likewise, we have the ability to have the same assurance in our lives, but only if we like these Christians base our hope on the sum of the whole that God's word reveals. What we want to do with the remainder of this lesson is look at some of the wrong conclusions derived from the teachings of Jesus while he was here on earth. As we examine the folly of the Jews of Jesus' time, we learn a valuable lesson.

Improper chains of reasoning:

•  Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

Jesus lived and completed his work on earth while the Law of Moses was in force. He taught that men should respect and obey the Law. All of His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount were designed to set strait what had been the sum of the traditions and doctrines of men. We know that after His death, burial, and resurrection that He would bring a new law into effect. He would nail this Old Law to the cross as Paul would put it ( Colossians 2:14 ). However, while on earth He taught only the preparation for the kingdom of heaven; and unless the Jews of His day could be righteous under the Old Law, they would by no means be prepared for the kingdom. Jesus taught the sum of the whole of the Old Law that the Jews of His day could come to the proper conclusions concerning Him and the kingdom to come.

•  John 18:36 “Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Many of the Lord's countrymen, having been taught from the prophets about the reign of the Messiah, had incorrectly concluded that His kingdom would be physical. They wanted desperately to be the glory of earthly nations, especially after centuries of servitude and a vassal state to other kingdoms. Jesus, throughout His ministry on earth, taught lessons based on physical things, but with spiritual messages (parables). The Jews failed to see the lessons because they refused to give up the physical delusions they held onto (see: Matthew 13:10-17 ). Jesus Himself would set the record strait once and for all, His kingdom was never to be here on earth!

•  John 2:19 “Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

After the Lord had cleansed the temple of the individuals who were taking advantage of the people who were coming to worship, He took the occasion to teach a spiritual lesson. As in every case before, the Jews jumped to a conclusion before taking in the proper chain of reasoning. Here the Lord was speaking of Himself and the spiritual change in worship He would bring about.

In summary of these brief examples, we can see a pattern of improper reasoning (there are many, many more examples that could be brought to light, however, for the sake of brevity, these three make the point sufficiently). Many of these improper conclusions are still problems to this day, as well as hundreds more; because men fail to absorb all the information concerning these issues before forming a chain of reasoning.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Paul instructs Timothy, who is an evangelist ( Chap. 4:5 ), in the true source of all the information needed to form a proper chain of reasoning. Paul told him to continue in the things that he has learned from this abundant source of life and godliness, being assured of knowing from whom he has learned them. Why do you suppose it was necessary to give Timothy such obvious instructions? Note:

2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Dear friends! It is time. No! It is past time that you stop and appraise your faith and what exactly it is based on. Have you taken the time to truly gather the sum of the whole of God's word concerning righteousness?

Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Based on this statement of the Apostle Paul, can you truly assume that you are in the righteous state that God has worked so hard to create; that Jesus gave His blood to purchase; that the Spirit reveals through the word? Remember! Faith comes from hearing the word ( Romans 10:17 ). This word came from a heavenly source and is not open to private human interpretation ( II Peter 1:16 -21 ). You can understand it, note:

Romans 10:8 “But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):”

Follow the proper chain of reasoning. Learn and adhere the pattern of facts that God has established through His word!

Don't Jump To Conclusions !