There Is Hope For The Doubting Thomas'

Poor old Thomas, because of his one recorded doubt, he's been referred to as 'The Doubting Thomas' ever since! We don't know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after the Resurrection, but he was reluctant to believe their witness to Christ's resurrection. Not even 10 friends could change his mind. But Thomas does deserve to be respected for his faith too! He was a doubter at one point but his doubts had a purpose, he wanted to know the truth! He expressed his doubts fully and had them answered completely. Doubting was only his way of responding, not his way of life.


We can doubt without having to live a doubting way of life. Doubt encourages rethinking. Doubt can be used to pose the question, get an answer, and push for a decision. But doubt was never meant to be a permanent condition.  When you experience doubt, take encouragement from Thomas. He didn't stay in his doubt but allowed Jesus to bring him to belief. Take encouragement also from the fact that other followers of Christ have struggled with doubts. The answers God gave them may help you too. Don't settle into doubts, but move on from them to decision and belief. Find another believer with whom you can share your doubts. Silent doubts rarely find answers!


How did the Lord handle Thomas' situation? The Lord Jesus wasn't hard on Thomas for his doubts. Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work. It is when doubts becomes stubbornness and stubbornness becomes a life-style that doubt harms faith. When you doubt, don't stop there. Let your doubts deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer.


For help, may I suggest you to read the book of THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. John's stated purpose for writing his Gospel was to show that Jesus was the Son of God (John 20:31). He clearly and systematically presented the evidence for Jesus' claims. When evidence is presented in the courtroom, those who hear it must make a choice -- is Jesus the Son of God, or isn't he? You are the jury. The evidence has been clearly presented. You must decide!

(Taken from: Evidence That Demands A Verdict - Josh McDowell)



 Reading God's Word increases faith: "Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ!" Romans 10:17

Precious Pearls:

-Better to doubt out loud than to disbelieve in silence
-Read John's Gospel and believe!
-If you know me personally and think I may help, write me!
-To remain unbelieving is to be in a serious condition!

"Those who don't believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don't believe what God has testified about his Son. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whosoever has God's Son has life; whososever does not have his Son does not have life. I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life."

1 Epistle of John 5:10-13

Read Revelation 21:8

Claudine