Stop doubting and start Believing!

DOUBT OR UNBELIEF? The Apostle Thomas, who was also called “Didymus,” was not the only one who doubted; all the disciples did. Mark says, “When they heard that Jesus was alive...they did not believe it.” (Mk. 16:11) Luke says, “They did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (Lk. 24:11).

 

 

It’s not a sign of our weakness; it’s a sign of our humanity. Thomas was the only one who asked for proof: “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.”  Thomas was not infected with unbelief, he had genuine doubt. Henry Drummond, author of the multi-million inspirational book “The Greatest Thing in the World,” says, “Christ never failed to distinguish between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is, can’t believe; unbelief is, won’t believe. Doubt is honesty; unbelief is obstinacy. Doubt is looking for light; unbelief is content with darkness.” Thomas was looking for Truth.

‘THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT’:  The Apostle Thomas makes that infamous statement in John 20:25, “Unless I see the nail marks ... I will not believe.” Thomas doubted his doubt and he wanted a proof. Jesus gave Thomas the benefit of the doubt! A special encounter with his Master gave Thomas a chance to see  and feel the indisputable proof that Jesus offered. Stretching His hand, Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and start believing.” This is not just for Thomas but for all his disciples and all those who have doubts!  To Thomas this was “non-negotiable.” He had to see, touch and feel. But after he did that, he needed no other proof and thereafter no one could ever change what he believed.  

DOUBTING TO DARING!: If the foundation of our faith is not strong enough now, it will be shaken later. Know What You Believe. Know Why You Believe It or it will be blown here and there by every wind of teaching!

“Then Peter stood up (took his stand) with the eleven and declared “......God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” (Acts 2:14, 32.) People were confronted and challenged. Three thousand responded and were added to their number that day.  The truth is - death could not hold down the TRUTH! The TRUTH came out and became the WAY and the LIFE.

Clarence W Hall makes this point clear: “If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!” Peter the betrayer, Thomas the doubter, and the rest of the runaways took their stand and said it loud and clear for everyone around them to hear and clarify their doubts because they were the witnesses! The invitation that was given to the listeners was not to blindly accept whatever they were hearing but to clarify, verify, cross-check and accept. They were bold like lions because the disciples saw and even felt Jesus after His resurrection. They could not bury the TRUTH again. Eventually, Thomas paid with his life. According to tradition and the Bible, eight of the Apostles died as Martyrs.  At least two of the Apostles, Peter and Andrew, were crucified.

DOUBTING TO DISCERNING: Doubting is no sin, but at some point we’ve got to stop doubting and start believing. There will be never-ending arguments, but the evidences for God’s existence and his resurrection are overwhelming. No one can remain neutral or stay on the fence forever. You can bring your doubts to the Cross and the Empty Tomb and sort it out there … but you have to make a choice! Jesus gave Thomas the benefit of the doubt! If you are genuine in your doubts and if you seek God seriously and sincerely, He says, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Strobel was an avowed atheist, journalist for The Chicago Tribune and a lawyer. When his wife became a Christian, he set out to ask the tough questions on God, Bible etc. On Nov. 8, 1981, after two years of research, from being a skeptic he became a committed follower of Christ. He wrote a book “The Case for Christ” with his research. If you have doubts on God, resurrection or the Bible - you are not alone. Many who doubted and questioned the reliability and authenticity of the Bible are some of the best Christian apologists today.

DOUBTING TO DANCING! Jesus did not leave his disciples with empty promises. He said, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” (Mark 9:31)  That is exactly what happened. It was also foretold by Hosea: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!” (Hosea 13:14)  

Jesus proved his resurrection to His disciples again and again. Within 40 days of His resurrection, Jesus had 11 separate recorded appearances to numerous different groups of people.  Pope John Paul II is right when he said about Easter, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”  Christians are not people of despair but people of hope with joy in their heart, praise in their mouth and dancing on their feet!