Truth Beyond Reason

 We live in a world that keeps adding the word "smart" to everything. - Smart phones. - Smart homes. - Smart cars. - Even smart appliances. And the assumption behind all of it is simple - we must be getting smarter. Not just in technology - but as people.

Some look back at history and think, "They just didn't know any better back then." - Ancient people worshipped the sun. - They all believed things we would consider 'superstitious'. They lived in ignorance that we think we've long outgrown. We tend to assume that because we have more education and more access to information than any other generation before us - that we must also be wiser than any generation before us.

But is it possible to be more informed and still not be wiser? Knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. You can have more data than any generation in history and still completely misunderstand who God is, who we are, and what truth actually is. That's not just a modern problem - it's also an ancient one. And that's why Paul wrote this in Colossians...

Colossians 2:2-4 (NIV)

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (4) I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Since all true wisdom is found in Christ, what happens when a culture believes it has outgrown Him? I read an article last week that shared...

"A new Gallup survey reveals a nation that is increasingly unable to agree on what is right and wrong - morality itself. Historically, American society operated from a broadly shared Judeo-Christian moral foundation. Citizens disagreed about countless issues, but there remained a common understanding that certain things were inherently good and others inherently wrong. Concepts such as marriage, family, sexual restraint, the sanctity of life, and objective truth served as cultural anchors. Those anchors are rapidly disappearing. The results paint a picture of two Americas operating from entirely different moral frameworks."

Now, I'm not trying to attack anyone - I'm describing a worldview shift that's happening around us. I'm pointing out the progression in man's thinking and values away from traditional values and beliefs. Many are even debating things previous generations would have considered settled, including questions of gender and identity. And again - please don't see this as a condemnation - but I want us to recognize what I see as symptoms of a larger problem.

True wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ! And there's a truth that many would deny...

I. Human wisdom is limited

Some modern individuals think that we are somehow the most enlightened and intelligent culture in human history. And, "We attack the past for failing to live up to our contemporary notions of virtue." We reject the old, established ideas and values for the new. But there's a couple of problems here. King Solomon wrote, in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (NIV)...

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (10) Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.

The philosophies and values that are promoted that go against what the Bible teaches - sadly, none of them are new. I found this blog post that describes this 'modern' view that many hold.

"The people who designed Christianity came up with the 'Earth created in 7 days' concept, and the Adam and Eve concept. Given scientific ignorance at that time, it wasn't a bad theory. However these ideas are blatantly ridiculous these days. However Christians find it difficult to admit two truths: The Bible is outdated, and Science has replaced most of its 'facts' about reality."

We may have more scientific advancements and educational opportunities and access to information than people had in the past - but there's a difference between 'smart' and 'educated'. Some studies suggest that the more secular education a person receives - the less they take The Bible as the true Word of God or see Jesus as The One way to Heaven...

I'm not suggesting we should be against education - human reason is a gift from God. But the danger comes in placing human reasoning above God's Word. If we don't have a solid foundation of faith and reason in Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" - higher education may become simply an idol in itself rather than a blessing that brings us closer to God!

And as far as us being so advanced because we're so much smarter than those in the past - why did I just see a headline, "Scientists can finally explain the construction of the pyramids."? How could they build things back then without modern understanding or tools..?

Another interesting fact - "Examples of Roman concrete exposed to harsh marine environments have been found to be 2,000 years old with little or no wear." Compare that with modern concrete with Portland cement. Ancient civilizations accomplished astonishing engineering feats that remind us we should not assume modern people are inherently wiser than those who came before us.

Sure, we have all sorts of new, modern technology - but we stand on the shoulders of all those before us. Sure I'm 'smart enough' to operate a computer - let's see a 'superstitious ancient man' do that. But did I invent the computer? Did I invent the electricity on which it runs? Did I figure out how to smelt all of the different various metals and techniques used to build a computer? 'Smart' can be a relative term depending on the culture and time in which you live.

And here's a reality that an unbeliever will not understand. According to the Bible - all knowledge - knowledge in general - and specifically knowledge about God Himself - all of that comes only from God.

Proverbs 2:1-6 (NIV)

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, (3) and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, (4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, (5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (6) For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Many look to themselves and their own reason to figure out the world and try to understand life's complexities and truths. But the problem is - God, Who created and ordered the world and the universe - His ways are not our ways and they cannot be understood solely by human reason. Think about the things we're told in the Bible that do not make sense based on our human understanding of the laws of physics, nature and reality.

- God created everything in six days out of nothing merely by speaking them into existence. - Jesus turned water into wine. - Jesus walked on water and brought dead people back to life. - Jesus was fully God and fully man - God incarnate! - Jesus taught 'the first shall be last', you have to lose your life to find it, the very message of the Gospel - all of those things demonstrate a truth beyond human reason...

II. God's truth is greater!

No matter how smart or advanced a person may be - those facts do not fully fit into the human mind based on reason alone. And that was part of God's design. Christianity is not grounded merely in feelings or emotion. It's rooted in historical reality and rational evidence, yet its deepest truths ultimately transcend what human reason alone can fully grasp. You see, yes, of course there are many facts to substantiate and validate our beliefs - but you cannot fully accept them without faith.

We have the fact of Jesus' resurrection - but that doesn't make sense according to our modern understanding of science. The virgin birth - that doesn't make sense. Because we don't usually witness some of the more 'miraculous miracles' that are recorded in scripture in our everyday lives - it's easy to forget the mystical, supernatural nature of Christianity. And sometimes we even try to gloss over the supernatural to make the Gospel message sound more reasonable to the modern mind.

But here is another truth as designed by God...

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." (20) Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

(21) For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

We're not saved by our understanding of the methodologies and processes and scientifically observable details of Jesus' resurrection! We are not saved by our intellectual mastery of the Gospel, but by faith in Jesus Christ! And that won't make sense apart from faith and the work of God's Spirit opening our eyes to spiritual truths.

1 Corinthians 2:11-14 (NIV)

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (12) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. (13) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

(14) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

No one can reason their way into Heaven. You have to place your faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone! We have to accept that there are some things in this universe that will not fit into our limited, finite human understanding. We have to allow God to know some things that we can't.

I mentioned earlier some things I believe are symptoms of a larger problem. The root issue is not merely sinful behavior or mistaken opinions. It's the human impulse to live independently of God - to define truth, morality, and identity on our own terms. Lifestyles and values that progress away from Biblical values aren't necessarily the problem, but are a symptom of a spirit of rebellion and a lack of humility before our Creator. Human wisdom is limited, God's truth is greater - therefore...

III. We submit to God

Following Jesus is an act of submission that allows God to then give you wisdom and understanding. A lack of humility before your Creator - rejecting His values and commands because they don't fit your modern understanding or values - that lack of submission will separate you from God.

I mentioned the tendency and ease of judging people of the past based on our circumstances and values. Again, it's nothing new. Jesus dealt with it in the people of His day.

Matthew 23:29-30 (NIV)

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. (30) And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'

Those individuals pridefully claimed that they would have been smart enough to not participate in such awful crimes based on their superior values. Am I completely sure that I wouldn't have had that judgmental attitude if I had lived back then? Would I have been any different than the teachers of the Law back then...? The only way to avoid that prideful attitude is a humble submission to God and thankfulness for His grace!

- Do you ever remember hearing someone utter the phrase, "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Now it sure feels like the modern belief has become, "I disagree with what you say, so you're my enemy!" And Christians who stand for Biblical standards are called haters and bigots, and those who have embraced alternative lifestyles and progressive values are condemned as evil sinners.

None of us get to Heaven based on our values or standards, but through the grace of Jesus! Our values and beliefs should lead us to live a life more like Jesus - but it's not through my own personal virtue that I somehow deserve Heaven.

Romans 6:22-23 (NIV)

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What I deserve is death, what I am given, through grace in Jesus is eternal life. But notice that phrase there, ' the benefit you reap leads to holiness'. My being freed from sin leads to holiness - leads to living out Biblical values. My ability to live out Godly values and even attempt to live a moral life is fully dependent on me first being set free from sin. And that is something that no one can do on their own. Freedom from sin comes only through Jesus!

I am superior to no one. But the Lord I submit to is superior to all!

My values and choices cannot be based on my own opinions and reason alone, but they must be built on the foundation of God's Word and His truth. I may not be the smartest guy in the room, but I do know this...

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

So What?

Human wisdom is limited. We are not as self-sufficient or as self-enlightened as we often believe. God's truth is greater than us. There are things we will never fully grasp by human reason alone, because God is God - and we are not. Therefore - we submit to God. When we do that - we stop trying to reshape truth into what feels more acceptable in our moment in history - and instead come fully under the authority of Jesus Christ.

My job isn't to argue anyone into Heaven. It's not to simply win anyone to my way of thinking or values. I'm called to win people to Jesus and to let Him change them to how He wants them to live - not how I want them to live.

There are a lot of people in this world who would strongly disagree with much of what I've said this morning. There are people in every one of our lives who do not agree with us, who may challenge our faith and even frustrate us. Those people are not my enemy - but my mission. And I will never win them to Jesus by just preaching morality or commandments or facts, but by showing them the love of Jesus Christ.

None of us are saved by being the smartest person in the room. We are saved by Jesus Christ alone! So, instead of approaching the people around us with arguments, let's approach them with prayer. And let your life clearly show your submission to God!