Believing Is Seeing

Sometimes we find ourselves using the saying, "I will believe it when I see it."  That is the world's approach to many things.  We live in a very skeptical culture where people want to see proof of things in order to believe them.  Many people use this reason for their disbelief in the Living God even though the evidence of His existence is staring them right in the face through His wonderful Creation that is all around them.

There will never be enough evidence for someone who is a constant doubter.  Many people are just in denial and do no want to believe that there is a God so they won't have to answer for their sins and their wicked behavior.  Otherwise they would have to admit that they are sinners and this hurts their selfish pride.  When I think of doubters I think of Thomas who was a disciple of Jesus.  Jesus had visited most of the disciples one evening, but Thomas wasn't there.  The others told Thomas, but he didn't believe them and said that he would only believe if He saw Jesus and see His wounds.

We can read of this account in John 20:24-29,

"24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

References for John 20:24

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 35 20:24 - S John 11:16

• ­ 20:24 - "Thomas" (Aramaic) and "Didymus" (Greek) both mean "twin" .

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

References for John 20:25

• Cross References

• 36 20:25 - ver 20
• 37 20:25 - Mark 16:11

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

References for John 20:26

• Cross References

• 38 20:26 - S John 14:27
• 39 20:26 - ver 21

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

References for John 20:27

• Cross References

• 40 20:27 - ver 25; Luke 24:40

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Then after a week had past Thomas was with the other disciples were locked up in a house together when Jesus came and stood among them.  He said, "Peace be with you!"  Then He went over to Thomas and said, "Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe."

Sometimes we allow disbelief to cloud our judgments even after we come to faith in Christ.  We must walk by faith believing what the Lord says and trusting His Holy Word. 

Thomas responded with the words, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed;  blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

We whom have not seen the Lord Jesus with our eyes and yet believe in Him as our Lord and Savior are truly blessed.  We also know that we believers in Christ Jesus will one day see the Lord Jesus with our own eyes when we enter Heaven.  Our faith will become sight and what a great sight that will be.

Let us not doubt our Lord, but let us believe on Him and in His ability to do things that we deem as impossible, but we know that all things as possible with God.

Lord,

Forgive us for doubting Your abilities.

Help us to have a fresh faith in You.

Thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy.

Lead us and empower us to live for You.

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen.