Originally Posted by SDG (Post 497672)

6. Doubting Thomas

We ALL have a measure of faith, yet we also always, if you are HUMAN, wrestle with different levels or forms of doubt.

Thomas is given a bad rap for being a doubter, too. The term "DOUBTING THOMAS" has a negative connotation.

Simply because he asked "WHAT IF"??? Did Jesus condemn him because he needed to see to believe.

Thomas ....

He was open minded, in his doubt, that perhaps this was the Risen Lord. He just needed some proof. He was willing to believe something after examining the facts. A close minded person, unbeliever, would not even look at the facts or would just deny them.

Thomas was very much a believer even when he doubted. In a previous instance, Jesus has great admiration for Thomas.

The first story about Thomas we encounter is in chapter 11 of John. It is the story of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. Do you remember? Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was ill in Bethany. When Jesus got ready to go there the disciples threw a fit. They said, “Whoa Jesus. Don’t you remember the last time you were there you almost got stoned to death. And now you want us to go back there again. Jesus, don’t go there!”



Jesus told them flatly that Lazarus was no longer ill, but dead. Well if they were sort of thinking about risking their lives to go with Jesus to save a sick Lazarus, they sure weren’t going to risk their lives for a dead Lazarus.

In the midst of all this resistance, it is Thomas who speaks up and says to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” To make such a statement required great faith in Jesus--and courage. Thomas was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. Why not call him Courageous Thomas instead of Doubting Thomas? Because of his courage, he and the disciples got to witness the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. Sort of makes you wonder why Thomas would have trouble with Jesus’ resurrection if he had witnessed the raising of Lazarus…. Yet he did.

What is Jesus reaction ???... definitely not the reaction we would have had w/ him ... or the disappointed religious stares we'd give him ...

There is no condemnation for his doubt rather Christ asks a fair question and acknowledges that Thomas DID BELIEVE.

All Jesus says:

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Thomas was honest about his doubt ... and when he brought his doubt to Jesus ... he's rewarded w/ the unprecedented honor of touching his side and his scarred hands. His doubt in the hands of the Master is transformed to faith in His Deity.

Originally Posted by rgcraig (Post 866048)

Welcome to AFF!

Originally Posted by notofworks (Post 866055)

Complete with me having to write sentences to stay in class! :lol But I'm still fighting with the teacher, though! :D I asked him if he liked the Christmas card and he thought I was trying to score points! I just wondered why he was the only one I sent to that didn't say anything about the card! :sad

But he won't answer. Uh oh.....another direction!

Originally Posted by DAII (Post 866053)

Final thoughts on doubt:

And yet the bible still tells us that w/o faith it is impossible to please God.

Please don't misconstrue my postings on this subject to be glorifying doubt (as one wouldn't glorify other emotions such as anger, depression)... I'm simply trying to define it ... and it's role in our life as believers.

It can become hope and when we turn it over to Jesus .... he can place in us faith in Him... the conviction of things not seen .... the substance of things hoped for.

I just feel we don't see the benefit our having doubts .... and that we mistake doubt w/ unbelief.

Doubt still means there is a chance.

There are way too many Apostolics living this Spirit-filled walk w/ dour "GAME-FACE" expressions on their countenance trying to conceal their normal range of emotions as not to show their human frailties for fear of disapproval by their peers.

The truth is ... in our humanity we struggle w/ these things. Yet, the joy of the Lord is my strength ... in my weakness ... He is made strong.

God will not condemn us for our doubt and anxiety ... He simply asks, in his eternal Fatherly love, that we bring it to him .... casting our cares upon him.

We see the ultimate example of this when Jesus brings his doubts and anxieties in desperation to the Father at the Garden ... and even the cross.

Surely his doubt, anxiety, sadness, agony is not counted to him as sin ... since The Lamb was without sin or blemish.

Mark 16:16 (b) says .... but he that believes not (unbelief) shall be damned.

Originally Posted by Jeffrey (Post 866058)

Doubt is part of the human condition, which is why we are to "walk in the Spirit." I certainly don't see it acceptable for a person to camp in the Land of Doubt. Thomas had a lapse. The disciples on the boat had a lapse. Both cases, Jesus reassured them of who He was. He presents the evidence again. Yes, there is still hope. But hoping for hope is not a comfortable place to be. I'm human and wrestle and have my "lapses" as well, but I always fall back on the reality that He is GOD and it is surely arrogant for me to try and be on the jury for the case against GOD's authenticity. Rather, I'm an investigator, anxiously uncovering the evidence and asking "what does this mean?"

Originally Posted by rgcraig (Post 866057)

He said he received it.

Originally Posted by DAII (Post 866060)

And yet doubt frames the question ....

Unbelief would close up shop.