How to be Doubt Free
Today’s Verse:
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. ~John 20:29
Thomas the disciple has been nicknamed “Doubting Thomas” because of his tendency to be skeptical. A “Doubting Thomas” is someone who needs to see before he will believe. In a world where there are scam artists and dishonest people who prey on people, some skepticism is a necessity for our protection. In the spiritual realm, however, a tendency to be doubtful is a hindrance to spiritual growth and progress. This morning, let us see how we can become men and women of great faith. Let us see how we can be “doubt free.”
We see an unfaithful ABSENCE.
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” Of the eleven remaining Apostles, Thomas was not assembled with the rest of them on the day of the resurrection. His absence was noticeable. I imagine one of the other men thinking, “Where’s Thomas?” His absence was negligent. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. He chose not to be with others. He may have become more hardened and skeptical during the previous three days. One thing is certain: his absence pointed to a distance in fellowship with the Lord and with the other men. Be careful that you not are absent when it comes to your fellowship with the Lord and His church.
We see an unbecoming APPREHENSION.
“The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Thomas emphatically said, “Except I shall see…I will not believe.” Isn’t it something that he would not believe the testimonies of the other disciples? I think that some of his doubting was due to his grief. He was grieving the death of the Lord. I think that some of his doubting was due to his guilt. He felt terrible that he was not at the Lord’s side. However, I think that some of his doubting was due to him being guarded. He was fearful of being tricked or deceived. He had a hard time trusting anyone, even the Lord!
We see an unforgettable APPEARANCE.
“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” This time, Thomas was with the other men. Jesus made a dramatic entrance into a room where the doors were shut! The first person Jesus greeted and addressed was Thomas. Jesus invited Thomas to touch His hands and side. Jesus knew that Thomas struggled with doubt and lack of faith. Jesus encouraged Thomas, “Be not faithless, but believing.” Jesus engaged him, and then He encouraged him. We would have rebuked and scolded Thomas for being hardened. Jesus made Himself real at that moment. We must pray that the Lord will make Himself very real to the people we know who are skeptical and doubting.
We see the unchanging ANTIDOTE.
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” True faith that is pleasing to God sees the invisible and believes the impossible. Thank God that He is patient with us. Nevertheless, the unchanging cure for doubt and skepticism is to believe without any strings attached. First, believe the words of the Lord as being absolute truth. Second, believe the working of the Lord as being matchless and powerful. Just believe!
This morning, let go of your doubts and skepticism. Let God arise in your faith and trust in Him!
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 25-27