Be Reasonable

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To be reasonable does not mean to compromise.

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Acts 18:4 – And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

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God’s Word in our chief fixed asset in life.  It is settled forever in heaven.  The Word and Jesus are One.  God cannot lie.  The Word of God will never pass away.  These things we believe and know to be true.  Therefore, we declare boldly, “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”  When Isaiah penned the words of the Lord, “Come now, and let us reason together,” he was showing that our God is reasonable.  But Malachi wrote that God never changes, and in Hebrews we read that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.  So how can our God Who never changes, and our Lord Who is forever the same be considered reasonable?  The answer to that is found in the true definition of the word reasonable.  Let’s look at it a little closer.

The word reasonable Is actually two words combined; reason and able.  In its simplest form, the word reasonable means to be able to reason.  Now think for a moment.  That does not mean to compromise.  Yet in our present point in history, that is precisely what many people believe it to be.  They think that if two people reason together, there will have to be compromise to keep things reasonable, or within the bounds of reason.  But that is NOT what it means to be reasonable.  To be reasonable is to be in a position of possessing adequate wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to be able to persuade another person.  Therefore, to be able to reason in any situation means you come to the table with truth, knowledge, and an ability to express that knowledge in an acceptable manner.

Think of this, it is the Lord Who said, “Come now, and let us reason together.”  He then states and obvious condition (your sins are as scarlet), followed by an outcome that defies natural explanation (they shall be white as snow).  Note again, the Lord said, with those premises stated, “Come now, and let us reason together.”  To the natural mind, that would seem to be totally unreasonable.  And yet God approaches it as reasonable.  Think on that. How can He paint such a picture?  It is because He understands what it means to be reasonable; it means being able to reason.  So, what the Lord is doing is setting forth a few simple questions.  (1) Can you reason?  (2) Are you willing to reason?  (3) Do you want to reason?  And with those questions asked, the answer lies with the one to whom they are addressed.  If your answer is, “yes,” then you are not about to enter into an argument or a debate.  You are about to enter into a discussion with the brightest, most accurate, most intelligent being that has or ever will exist – Jehovah God.  Therefore, to truly reason with God is to realize that He is right.

Manna for Today – Acts 18:1-17; Isaiah 1:18; Romans 3:4; Psalm 119:89; John 1:1 & 14; Hebrews 6:18