MUST YOU BELIEVE IT?

The "Power of Reason"

Although many of Jesus' disciples were simple men and women, possibly with limited education, they did have another God-given asst at their disposal.  Regardless of their background, all were endowed with reasoning power and thinking abilities.  The apostle Paul encouraged his fellow Christians to make full use of their "power of reason" to "prove to [themselves] the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." -Romans 12:1, 2.

With their God-given  "power of reason,"  the early Christians saw clearly that any philosophy or teaching that was not in harmony with the revealed Word of God was useless.  In some cases the wise men of their day were, in fact, "suppressing the truth" and ignoring the evidence around them that there is a God.  "Although asserting they were wise, they became foolish,"  wrote the apostle Paul.  Because they rejected the truth about God and his purpose, "they became empty headed in their reasoning and their unintelligent heart became darkened."  -Romans 1:18-22; Jeremiah 8:8, 9.

Those who assert that they are wise often come up with conclusion like "There is no God" or "The Bible is not to be trusted" or 'These are not the 'last days."     Such ideas are just as foolish in God's eyes as concluding that "2=1."  ( 1 Corinthians 3:19)  Whatever authority people may arrogate to themselves, you do not have to accept their conclusions if they contradict God, ignore his Word, and violate common sense.  In the final analysis, the wise course is always to  "let God be found true, though every man be found a liar." -Romans 3:4.

Next time: Moral Values on the Decline

Watchtower, 2000