“Reckon” expresses the concept of a determination made by a mathematical process and therefore taking into account or calculates in a logical manner, making a conclusion based upon this process.
In the fulfillment of Scripture, Christ was reckoned (numbered) among the transgressors, Mark 15:28. Even after being examined showed that no unrighteousness was found in Him, He was counted to be a transgressor by the leaders of Israel and the Romans so that they could justify putting Him to death.
The Chief Priests and scribes calculated their response to Jesus’ question concerning if John’s immersion was from men or heaven. In considering this they discussed among themselves the ramifications of saying it was from heaven and what the Messiah’s response would be, concluding to answer that they did not know rather than expose their hypocrisy, Mark 11:31.
One of the craftsmen called Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Diana, called together his fellow tradesmen to stir up the city, for their profits had plummeted as a result of the truth of the gospel of the resurrected Christ taking root in Ephesus. Directing his accusation at Paul, for he had persuaded many people that there are no gods which are made with hands, Demetrius expresses his concern over their trade falling into disrepute so he calls upon them to consider Artemis and her supposed magnificence, Acts 19:26; therefore counting how much they would lose if she was not considered to be glorious.
For those who teach others the law, but then put themselves in a position where they are above the law, Paul encourages them to calculate the evidence that they will not be able to cause themselves to escape the judgment of God for doing the very things they are instructing others not to do, Romans 2:3. For they should consider the fact that if in uncircumcision a man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, his uncircumcision is counted as circumcision and therefore this one will judge them as transgressors of the law, Romans 2:27.
After going over the facts concerning righteousness, for it is clearly by faith not works, it is then logical to conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law, Romans 3:28. God is not just the God of the Jews and therefore He will justify the circumcised out from faith and the uncircumcised through faith, Romans 3:29-30. In further consideration of how a person is justified apart from Law, Paul quotes the Scripture concerning Abraham, for he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, Romans 4:3. If someone works then he is reckoned a wage and therefore his payment is not a benefit given without consideration of merit (grace), Romans 4:4. However, to the one who is not working, his faith is counted as righteousness just as even David, a man who lived under the Mosaic law, understood and expressed in the Psalms. For if a man is reckoned by God that apart from the law he is righteous, then this one is happy, Romans 4:5-6. God imputing righteousness to Abraham because he believed Him concerning his offspring was not written for his sake, but for ours, the ones that will be imputed righteousness by believing Him who raise Christ from the dead, Romans 4:23-24.
When we were children, we framed our minds in the manner of an inarticulate babbler and therefore reasoned in this way; one who is not mature enough to know what is right and wrong and therefore how to do things properly. However, as we matured, we put away the things of a child, for we developed in our thinking and through education and experience became ones who are able to discern the proper way to do things so that good is the outcome, 1 Corinthians 13:11. When a person refuses to grow up and see things as they really are, they must remain under tutors and governors to manage their lives and therefore no one considers them to be of any value. They are seen as people who do not understand what they are saying, speaking gibberish to justify childish activities and attitudes that are contrary to the truth. In the Christian life, these are the ones seeking to live by law rather than out from faith. For living by faith requires us to train our senses to know the difference between what is right and wrong so that we maintain a mind framed on the Spirit and our actions show maturity in living out the righteousness we have in Christ.
When it comes to the Christian life and having victory over our sin nature, we need to calculate the implication of being immersed into the death of Christ. For since God imputes to us Christ’s death, it is only logical that we are also considered to be raised with Him and therefore can walk in newness of life. One who has died to the sin nature is no longer bound to serve it as a slave, for just as the law of marriage is released when one of the spouses dies, so is the law of the sin nature when we die. Therefore, it is only logical that we count ourselves to be dead to the sin nature and alive unto God, Romans 6:11.
We are not to be anxious in anything, but in everything by worship and supplication after thanksgiving we are to let our request be known before God, for it is His peace that will surpass the mind while guarding our hearts and the workings of the mind. Therefore, let us take the time to logically calculate the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy and to do the things we have learned and received through Paul so that we have an unruffled mind in all things, Philippians 4:6-9.
