Have you ever heard of Blaise Pascal? Me neither, until a few years ago. See he was a French philosopher and theologian who proposed a thought you probably HAVE heard of. It goes generally like this: if God does not exist than you have lost nothing except some denied pleasures in life trying to live for Him and following His Word. BUT; if God does exist then a Believer potentially will receive so much blessings and eternal life with Him for living for Him, or eternal separation and punishment in Hell as an unbeliever; since all that is plainly stated in The Bible. It is an interesting logical argument for coming to a knowledge of God, and accepting Christ as Lord in our life.

C.S. Lewis had a similar thought, but would go further and state that at some point logic has to give place to faith. I would wholeheartedly agree! We can use tools and thought processes like Pascal’s Wager to help probe the curiosity of an unbeliever towards the thought of a supreme being such as Jehovah God of the Bible. To often many college educated and learned people will scoff at the idea of one Creator who made all things and who humanity will give account to one day. They mock at the idea that that Being would then come to Earth as a man to die on a cross for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). Nevertheless at some point the logically important ways to show Christ ultimately have to give way to a saving faith when someone, through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44, 1 Corinthians 12:3, and 1 Corinthians 2:10) comes to the realization of Who God is and His longing for a relationship with them.

So what do we do with the brains God gave us and the tool of logic? Simple: it has to be used. Paul implored to that at least three different times in Scripture. First time that we have it recorded is on Acts 17 when Paul is debating with the philosophers and thinkers of his day. Second place is in Romans 1, with describing the state of man’s heart as they go further from God, he urges the reader (clearly through the Holy Spirit) to look at nature and how it doesn’t even show those things. In our words: “Look even the normal animals don’t even like this.”. Lastly he uses it in 1 Corinthians 11 in talking about the headship veiling of a woman and the proper roles of men and women. And that nature teaches us how those gender roles work. Well why talk about nature? Because Paul clearly understood the role of nature being a reflection of God’s order in the world. By using his, oh what’s the word: LOGIC he was able to articulate what the Holy Spirit was showing him to speak.

This is why in Ephesians 2:10 Paul says: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” God has created us to be used for Him. Another place the word vessel is used (2 Timothy 2:21) to describe how we will be used of God. So we need to be washed from our sins in Christ, surrendered to God, filled with His Holy Spirit to be able to perform the work he would have us do. We cannot operate solely on logic as a believer, but it is a good tool to have when talking to others about God, and Salvation.

Again, the idea of Pascal’s Wager isn’t a new thought; but maybe by learning a little about it you can take this lesson and have a better equipped toolbox for your witnessing opportunities this week! We do not have to have all the answers, matter of fact we probably never will. However, it is our responsibility as believers to serve God faithfully and to show His truths to a lost world, while also encouraging fellow believers to stay the course.

Don’t forget the Bible says in John 6:44-45 that people will be drawn to Jesus by the Father. My favorite part is in verse 45 “…Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me.” So we may just be used by God’s Holy Spirit to be that information giver to someone this week. Let’s not be lax in our duty to be light and a testimony to point others to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to have a saving relationship with Him! Again, using Pascal’s Wager (wink wink) what have you got to lose by surrendering your life to Christ? Absolutely nothing! But, arguably so much more to gain by living in service for Him as a surrendered, saved disciple of Jesus Christ!

Keep studying God Word yal and until next week I’ll leave you with the words of a familiar hymn:

O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Teach me thy patience; still with thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong:

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way;
In peace that only thou canst give,
With thee, O Master, let me live.

Have a great week and until next time; KEEP STUDYING!