Faith without reason makes you vulnerable

Whereas several books in the Bible talk and support the notion of reasoning in the Christian life, lately, they are ignored and, exploited by those who either preach for selfish gains or ignorantly end up placing God’s people in unfortunate situations.

For example, in Ephesians 4:18: “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.”

Colossians 2:8 says, “Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after rudiments of the world and not after Christ.” These verses call for Christians to employ reason in their journey of faith.

Use faith to discern
Recently, Bishop of West Ankole Diocese Rt Rev Johnson Twinomujuni, during the third graduation at Ankole Western University, urged Christians to stop being victims of foolishness because of faith without reason. He challenged Christians to use faith to describe the right path of God.

“Not every thrill is of God or for the good, have faith but remember faith is not irrational. Faith is being certain of what we hope for but not mere bizarre and empty fantasy,” Bishop Twinomujuni said. He added, God created man to be a master, not a slave of circumstances thus calling on Christians not to be led by emotions.

The bishop’s caution comes at a time when some religious beliefs confine believers in churches and prayers for miracles, healing instead of working and seeking medical care.

Beggary
Pastor Willy Tumwine, says faith and reason go together for one to grow in Christ.
Tumwine says some Christians have been turned into beggars for failure to reason.

“A Christian comes crying for a job and asks that you pray together. They get the job shortly after but in a few months they leave the job,” says the cleric.

Before long, one learns that they resigned because the job requires them to work on Sunday which hinders them from serving God.

“Isn’t that madness that you cry to God for a job and then resign because it demands you to work on Sunday?” Pastor Tumwine wonders, adding that lack of reason can drive some Christians to do strange things.

Christians ought to have faith and believe in miracles but pray for people and allow God to do His work. Faith and reason are helpful and complementary in knowing God.

“We need faith to employ our reason and reason to make sense of our faith,” he says.

HOT TIP
Evangelist Bob Byarugaba, says Christian faith is well-grounded in reasoning that offers platform for answering some of the challenges Christians face.

“Some Christians, especially in the Pentecostal churches are failing to develop despite God’s will to intervene, someone preaches saying “take this miracle, possess that building” and you go to town to start claiming every building in Jesus name and you think you will get them. You need to start working hard and you will be blessed along the way,” says Byarugaba.
A preacher must show unbelievers why they believe in God and His Son and defend the gospel in a reasonable and justifiable manner. How you will defend the gospel and teachings when you don’t reason before referring to the book of Isaiah 1:18.