Reason Together with God
“Let’s . . . tinker with tools.”
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
We all know (or should learn) that the Atonement of Christ will wash away our sins. Most of us have been taught since our youth that Christ will wash away any sin, as long as we repent and come to him with a broken heart and contrite spirit. The second part of Isaiah 1:18 has been quoted many times in many places - “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” But it is not often that we hear the first part of that same verse quoted. I think it gives great insight into the process of applying this promise. Isaiah, speaking for the Lord, says “come now, and let us reason together.” The word reason means to use the mind to think, understand, and form judgements. We are asked to do that together. The Lord asks us to do that together with him. Sometimes we may need help from others to with this process. A priesthood leader is there to help with major faith issues, or with other areas that you may need help with. Sometimes we need help to reason it out from a therapist, or a professional. Sometimes there may even be medical attention needed to help us before we can cleanse ourselves and our behavior of some sins. No matter the process needed for each person, it is comforting to me that we will be working with the Lord. He has asked us to do so. The Lord is not some unknowable power. Christ is our brother, and we are all children of our Father in Heaven. He is asking for us to reason with him, and work out our problems. He knows us better than we know ourselves, but we are here to work out our salvation - WITH him. When we pray we should talk to him, and share our thoughts, feelings, and “reason together” with our Father to find the path He would have us follow.
We find another example of “reasoning with the Lord” in 1831. The elders of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints did not understand some concepts. In this case it was the manifestations of different spirits. I think the Lord give us this great example of working with the Lord to encourage us to do the same. In Doctrine and Covenants 50:10-12 the Lord says the following to Joseph and the Elders gathered:
And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand; Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face. Now, when a man reasoneth he is understood of man, because he reasoneth as a man; even so will I, the Lord, reason with you that you may understand.
The Lord will reason with us one to one, "as a man reasoneth." He wants us to understand the world, and his plan, and our school work, and how to improve our family, and how to get better at our talents, and the mysteries of God. I submit here a few ideas that we should do the following to better reason with the Lord.
Work to improve our relationship with our Father in Heaven by studying his words, and praying to him daily.
Work out the questions or issues we want help with, or need repentance from. Come up with a plan. Do the work. Don't expect this to be a one way road. He is going to reason with us, not give us the answer. We have work to do here for this process to help. This can be learning and studying or seeking professional or even medical help.
Listen. Find quiet space and time to listen to the Spirit. Meditate. Think, Listen.
Serve and love others. Jesus did not teach us to focus only on ourselves. If we are to follow him, and if we are to reason with the Lord we must do what He does, and that is love those around us.
Be patient. The answers will come on the Lord’s time. Line by line. It may take time. It may take a lot of time. Don't rush.
