Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 17:7, “Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.”
Background
I took a few philosophy courses in college, but sometimes the best instruction can come from a Dilbert cartoon: “What is the key to success?” “Hire the right employees.” “How do you know you hired the right ones?” “You know because the business is successful.” “So the key to success is circular reasoning?” “Yes, because circular reasoning is the key.” And then there’s this one: “We know mass creates gravity because dense planets have more gravity.” “How do we know which planets are more dense?” “They have more gravity.” “That’s circular reasoning.” “I prefer to think of it as having no loose ends.” No doubt you have heard something similar to this explanation: “We know it’s true because Sally told us so. And we know this because Sally never tells lies.” Cartoons and politicians are not the only ones to incorporate circular reasoning in their speech. Truth be told, you and I are more culpable than we realize. But falling prey to circular logic doesn’t necessarily mean that what we are trying to say is invalid. Many times it simply means we haven’t thought through the best way to say what we want to express.
Application
When it comes to the words of Jesus, though, every single one of them matters, even when we don’t completely understand their connection. So when we read that the disciples knew that what God had given Jesus came from God, we might think some circular reasoning is going on. But know this, every bit of every thing in your life is from God. And the sooner we realize that our circumstances, whether we might call them blessings or not, come from the God who made and loves us, then the sooner we shall enjoy His dominion over our lives and find pleasure in all things. It might sound like nonsense to be reminded that what God gave you is what God gave you, but remembering it’s all His to give, and we are His willing subjects, will help keep your heart and mind where it needs to be. And that makes perfect sense to me.
Charge
As we seek Him today, let God who is God be God in your life.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
