‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:1-3).’

I’ve been toying with this subject of ‘Logic Verses Faith’ for some time, and I’ve been diffident whether to pursue it here on my blog, because whatever I write, I want to build up believers in their faith, and I also want to give to those who do not have it, an inkling as to what it’s like for the believer who does.

The Challenge

A Christian is a person with God-given *faith. He receives it as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). It has nothing in common with man’s ability to reason, which we call logic. Faith does not rely upon tangible objectivity that is confirmed by the five senses, and yet in itself it is not illogical; for it exists in the mind, and it makes sense for the one who has it. It is just as real for him as logical, tangible objectivity is for the one who does not have God’s gift.

The thinking, logical unbeliever will challenge the believer by saying his faith is not real; therefore it is invalid. It makes no sense, because it’s neither rational nor objective. The believer will counter that argument by saying his faith is very real, and it works in practice. He will say that when he prays in faith to God, God will respond in His own time. His response may not always be evident, and, indeed, He may never reveal the outcome to the believer, but whatever it is, it is always for his good (Romans 8:28).

Faith is an inward trust in God that may be confirmed by the visible outward actions of the one who has faith; for example, a **martyr manifests his faith by his stand for Christ – even to the point of death. He does not recant his belief. He courageously takes a leap of faith into God’s presence, with an ardent longing to be with Him. He may recall Paul’s words, ‘For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).’

This is far from the logic of the unbeliever; but for the faithful in Christ it is his unshakable logic. He knows that Christ died and rose from the dead; and that he too will be resurrected to life in Him.

“What better logic can there be?” asks the believer.

For him it’s not a rhetorical question, because God has given him a steadfast faith, and he knows it! God proves it to him through the testimony of the Spirit who indwells his soul. Christ and the Holy Spirit live in him (John 14:20; 1 Corinthians 6:19); therefore for him his faith is entirely logical. Everything makes sense to him, and he rejoices in His gracious and loving Saviour.

The unbeliever yet again questions the believer, and asks, “What about Noah’s ark? How could all those animals get into the ark, and how could they survive that long? And, really, how could Jesus be born of a virgin? Furthermore, how could God create the world in six days, when twenty-four hour days did not exist? And don’t the scientists prove rightly that the world is trillions of year old?”

You can see that from the unbeliever’s viewpoint the Bible is nothing more than a collection of fairytales; fantasies created by men. He says there’s no difference between the Bible and any other book. It’s just a book.

The man of faith knows the unbeliever is in a hopeless position. He is spiritually dead, and thus he is spiritually blind (1 Corinthians 2:14). Although he lives in the flesh, He is unable to engage with the Spirit of Truth. He cannot ‘look’ on Christ ‘and be saved’, (cf. Isaiah 45:22) because God has not opened his spiritual eyes with the salve of faith. The believer knows this, because he once was blind, but now he can see.

The Reality of Logical Faith

Both the believer and the unbeliever physically live in a fallen and cursed world, but the believer in his faith truly lives in another realm – in God’s spiritual kingdom. He has a dimension of existence that the other does not have. The unbeliever lives in the spiritual kingdom of the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and he is unable to escape his clutches, unless the Son of God rescues him. Sadly the lost soul cannot cross over from the kingdom of spiritual death into the kingdom of spiritual life without being given the breath of life (Job 33:4), i.e., the vital oxygen of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 3:3-8).

Until that happens he can never understand and know the logic of God-given faith. He cannot through his own efforts break free from the shackles of spiritual and physical death. He is blind, deaf and dumb. Only Jesus can give him eternal life (John 3:16). He does this by opening the eyes of the faithless. He opens their ears to hear, and He gives them hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). It’s all of Him and nothing of them. They were dead in their trespasses and sin; unable to escape the clutches of the evil one. But in God’s mercy, by faith, they were drawn to Him. The logic and reality of God-given faith is very real to them.

If you are not yet a partaker of this faith and desire it; God will not refuse your request (Matthew 7:7). Ask, Him; ‘taste and see’ (Psalm 34:8), for God is good.

‘…. since we are surrounded by so great a crowd of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1, 2).’

Amen.

*Faith

https://thebiblicalway.blog/2017/12/25/faith/

**New Testament Martyrs

https://thebiblicalway.blog/2018/06/21/new-testament-martyrs/