APR 18

2 Timothy 1:1-8
Memorise 2 Timothy 1:7
“wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober.”

Whatever God teaches in His Word does not bypass our minds. Instead, we bring our minds to bear on the truths taught in God’s Word and we find that it harmonises with human reasoning.

God has given us a sound mind to use as we apply ourselves intellectually to what we read and understand around us. In Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, his spiritual son, he desires that Timothy would cultivate such a well-balanced and sober mind. Paul regarded it as necessary to the performance of the duties of his office as the pastor and minister of God’s Word. It is just as needful for us as believers, now, as it was then.

God does not want us to be ruled by our emotions and feelings but to be grounded in the objective truth of God’s Word. We are to have a clear understanding and sound judgment so as to be soberly influenced to think, speak and act aright in all things. Together with the power and love that God has given us, we are thus enabled to hear, believe, hope and endure all things. John Calvin, the great theologian, states that the human reasoning faculty given to man, while not the master of faith, is an indispensable servant having an essential role to play in the task of faith seeking knowledge.

Dear Teen, we thank God for the reasoning faculty that He has given us. This makes us people of sober minds, not given to emotionalism but able to see things in its proper place and perspective. Therefore when we study the Word of God, it must be with clear minds, free from distractions and pre-conceived notions. We must also realise that it is an activity that requires active thinking and reasoning on our part, and therefore effort must be put into it. But at the same time we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that guides us in seeking God and Scripture is our guide and authority, not our human understanding. Our reasoning is important, but it must always submit to the authority of God in His Word.

Thought: It is rational to believe in the incomprehensibility and omnipotence of God.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, thank You for creating reason, not that I may use it to produce truth independently, but that I may use it to understand the revealed truth of God.