Doubts And Faith

[shortlady]

Doubts And Faith


Can a believer in Jesus who has occasional doubts about matters of faith ever be effective in serving the Lord? Some people think that mature and growing Christians never question their beliefs. But just as we have experiences that can build our faith, we can also have experiences that cause us to temporarily doubt.

The disciple Thomas had initial doubts about reports of Jesus’ resurrection. He said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, . . . I will not believe” (John 20:25). Christ did not rebuke Thomas but showed him the evidence he asked for. Amazed at seeing the risen Savior, Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” (20:28). After this incident, the New Testament is silent about what happened to Thomas.

A number of early church traditions, however, claim that Thomas went to India as a missionary. It is said that while there he preached the gospel, worked miracles, and planted churches. Some of these churches in India still have active congregations that trace their founding back to Thomas.

A time of doubt doesn’t have to become a life pattern. Allow God to lead you into a deeper understanding of His reality. Renew your faith. You can still accomplish great things for Him.

When faith grows weak and doubts arise,
Recall God’s love and tender care;
Remind yourself of all He’s done
And of those times He answered prayer. —D. De Haan

Learn to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.

 

[amadeus2]

Consider, Gideon, in the OT, long before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and crucifixion on Calvary and the time of Thomas.

Gideon also had doubts and put a fleece before God twice in order to reassure himself before going ahead. Perhaps, it would have been better if he had not required those two fleece checks before acting. Perhaps, similarly it would have been better if Thomas had believed without requiring the evidence of his natural sight and touch, but they were both fallible men as we all are. Both Gideon and Thomas did move forward in God's work even though they required that extra nudge, that extra bit of convincing:

"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

In spite his doubts, he did believe in the end of the matter. This is important. It is better to take hold of the second chance than to take hold of no chance at all. Give God the glory!

 

[shortlady]

Sometimes in life we will have doubts. Some situation arise and you wonder if God was ever apart of the decision made base on how your life is going. It is not wrong to question or have doubts the bible say test the spirit with the spirit.

 

[Michelle71]

Actually, I like Thomas. He's really gotten a bad rap. Gideon too.

Neither were afraid of making sure that they were hearing, or knowing what was the truth. In Thomas' case, he was the great skeptic who needed to make sure that he was following the True Savior. He never doubted that Jesus was the Savior, but he had to make sure that the person standing in front of him WAS the Savior. I bet he also tested every direction that he thought the Lord was showing his own ministry to go as well.

Sometimes I wonder if doubt is not a good thing. Not doubting that God is God, and His only begotten Son, Jesus came into the world to redeem us back to God, but doubting enough to make sure each step is ordered by Him. Wanting the truth enough to risk asking, is this really You, Lord, or am I looking at an imposter who would cause me to stray from You.

Then in Gideon's case. God led him to scale down his army. Nothing God said seemed to make sense to him. The poor guy was probably confused as all get out. No wonder he wanted to make sure it was God's voice. It went against every bit of logic. A lesson that the Lord really will lead down a path that makes zero sense until hindsight makes the vision 20/20.

 

[T Man]

Doubts, we all get them. I have doubts all the time, what I hear and what I am to say. Its easy to doubt many things in God, because we are not gods but human. The bible is full of those that doubt or have had doubts, Peter was a classic, When Pete got out of the boat, he walked on water to Jesus, he took his eyes of Jesus as most of us do and started to sink down. While looking towards Jesus he walked on water. I guess I like this story of doubt the most because it reminds me not to take my eyes of Jesus in any situation. Doubts don't damage you, they make you stronger in faith not flesh. We have to look at the doubts we have and size that up to Father we share in, doubts go, faith comes, maybe a little at a time, but faith comes. Anything that brings you closer to God is a good thing. Doubts do come to us all, its what we do about it that counts.

Blessings T

 

[amadeus2]

No, having doubts is in itself not wrong, but we never want to dwell in a place of doubt. That will lead us to sin and perhaps into backsliding. If we do for some reason get out of focus, we need to ask ASAP for Jesus's help in re-focusing on Him. If we do sin, while we have an advocate in Jesus, we should always ask the good Lord to help us stand fast where He wants us to stand.

Perhaps, what is most needed is to always be able to see the Lord clearly and recognized His voice so well that there is never any doubt that it is He who speaks to our hearts rather another.

We should pray for the "eyes to see" and the "ears to hear" of which Jesus speaks.

 

[dannibear]

Learn to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.
[/B]

YES! I love this sooo much!
I wrote it on a sticky note and taped it to my mirror. This is what I needed today, and I am thankful I stumbled upon this.
Bless you sister

 

[shortlady]

YES! I love this sooo much!
I wrote it on a sticky note and taped it to my mirror. This is what I needed today, and I am thankful I stumbled upon this.
Bless you sister

God is good!!! We always get a timely word. I am glad that doubting doesn't mean you don't have faith but it helps your faith. Love the response. Was very encouraging.