Hebrews 11: 1-3 (ESV) Biblos.com
“1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.2For by it the people of old received their commendation.3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
Faith is logical and faith is counterintuitive. Logic has to do with reasoning and things that can be concluded through inductive and deductive means. When dealing with the natural order of things, logic reigns supreme. Our experiences shape our approach, bolster our courage and shape those around us for future generations. We develop faith in the things we have seen and the systems that usually work for us. Socialization is the process of passing these things on to others.
When it comes to God, counterintuitive things come into play and these interventions can be disruptive in every sense of the word. God did not originate in the created order of things and in fact He has no begining, residing outside of the laws that govern creation, He simply commands us to obey when we know He is speaking. We want God to fit into our limited understanding and if He does not, we ignore His instructions or gather teachers that will shape Christ into a diety who is manageble. This is nothing more than a form of idolatry.
Logic is a gift that God has given volitional beings. It’s a useful tool that we should constantly develop. We need logic to deepen our understanding of how faith works and how God orders things in the natural and spiritual realms. We see patterns that point to a designer and this should prompt inquiry in our hearts. Our logic does not reveal God, but it should propel us to seek after Him. Paul states in Romans 1:19-20
“19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
When the inquiry begins we start to draw near and at some point revelation is given. Revelation may appear counterintuitive and foolish to the natural senses but we need to follow what God reveals. The scriptures teach that only by faith can we grasp the concept of a Creator who made all things and came to the earth to dwell amongst us. We were not there when these things happened but we accept this revelation and it is the access point into the realm of adoption or being born again. Even the statement I just made is contrary to the reason we were shaped by. However, we must keep in mind the fact that just because something is counterintuitive, does not mean it’s countersense or nonsense.
Here is what God is looking for in regards to faith:
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5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,6“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”7And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”8But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,c ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”10When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israeld have I found such faith.11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,12while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”13And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
The centurion’s faith was logical. He reasoned based on the testimonies of others and what he may have seen. He combined the counterintuitive and the logical and made a bold assertion. Jesus was pleased and performed a miracle based on His authority and power. The centurion was blessed because he rested his faith in divine claims.
Mark 12:24 states: Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? (ESV)
Today we have cessationists who believe the supernatural acts of God have come to an end and we have hyper charismaniacs who think they are the embodiment of all things supernatural. Both camps are victims of their own imbalance. We truly live in an unhealthy church age. You need to assess yourself. Are you a cessationists trapped in logic and doctrine, or are you at the opposite of the spectrum following every thought that enters your mind, believing it to be inspired? If you are on either end of this spectrum you need to come to a place of rest where logic and the counterintuitive come together. They come together in Christ. He created all things and can interrupt all of creation to accomplish His purpose in the world. Make room for Him in all you do. Remember to balance your leadings with scripture. May your faith be a blessing and inspiration to everyone around you. May you be sound in doctrine, open to revelation and a leader in this age.