Huntington Church of Christ

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jeshovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

There appears to be a prevailing attitude among the religious world today to only discuss those things on which we agree, but remain silent on those things we differ on. We willingly converse on the goodness of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and Heaven, but when it comes to discussion concerning how one obtains salvation, church organization or sin, we are quickened to silence in cowardice and fear of confrontation. We ought not fear discussions of our faith (1 Peter 3:15). "COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

Jesus desires that all believers be "one" (John 17:20-21), but the only way we will ever be unified is to talk about our differences. Let's fulfill the wish of Christ! "COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

"Reasoning" is the usage of logical and rational thinking. Generally speaking, the Bible is not a hard book to understand. Peter did write of the Apostle Paul's epistles when he penned, "some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16). Obviously there are some difficult Scriptures in which the "babe in Christ" might have trouble iwth, but the vast majority of God's word is understandable. Thus God commands, "Understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17). God's word is logical and sensible, and NOT left to MY private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). "COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

Some will not "reason together" concerning God's word because it results in controversy. Their reasoning..."Don't rock the boat!" The early church was continually involved in open discussions which resulted in controversy (Acts 4:1-4; 5:40-42; 6:8-7,60; 13:46-50; 17:1-9; 19:23). It appears if we stand up for Christ and His word, controversy will soon follow! (2 Timothy 3:12) Are we discussing and reasoning? Certainly not for the sake of controversy, but for salvation and God's glory (Matthew 10:32; John 15:17-24). This is why we are called to have courage and boldness (2 Corinthians 3:12; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:35; 1 John 2:28). "COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

On the day of judgment many will be denied eternal joy because of their prejudiced silence upon this earth. When the heart is shut tight there is no reasoning. When the mind is made up there is no room for knowledge and understanding. Truth hasn othing to fear. Jehovah wants to reason with you (Isaiah 1:18), will you reason with Him? "COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

The church of Christ is the church established by Jesus, the Son of God, nearly 2000 years ago. It preceeded all denominations and "so called Christian" religious movements. To be the same church today it must of necessity be the same organization, faith, and practice as revealed in the New Testament. With Jesus as its head (Colossians 1:18), all of its doctrines and practices are only heaven directed (authorized by the Bible). Free from all human creeds and speculation, we call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways (1 Peter 4:11). You are invited to meet with us and investigate us. We stand ready to give an answer for our existence and practice (1 Peter 3:15). God's Truth never fears investigation. "COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ