Picture a car perched atop a metal fence—the front end on one side and the back bumper on the other side. Law enforcement agents discovered this unlikely scene when they foiled an attempt by smugglers to cross the US border from Mexico illegally. Two men had driven up ramps to the top of the 14-foot fence, and hoped to drive the car down the same way to their desired destination. When the border agents arrived on the scene, the men fled.
Being unable to move forward or backward captures the spiritual state of some people. They want to believe in Jesus as the way to salvation, yet doubts prevent them from fully accepting this truth.
Although several disciples announced they had seen Jesus alive after His death, Thomas doubted. He said, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands” (John 20:25). A week later, Thomas was holed up with the disciples in a locked room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared and invited the doubting disciple to examine Him. Jesus understood Thomas’ doubts and provided the assurance he needed. Then Christ said, “Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27).
Do you hear Jesus speaking those words to you today? Maybe, like Thomas, you want tangible evidence of the Lord’s resurrection. Thankfully, it’s possible to believe in Him without the same level of proof that Thomas had. We know this because Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me” (John 20:29).
If you want to know Jesus, God can turn that desire into a real relationship with Him. Bring your doubts—whatever they are—to God. Search the Bible for spiritual guidance, and ask God to open your eyes to the truth about His Son.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 14:1-28
More:
Look up 1 Peter 1:8-9 to see the reward for trusting Jesus even though we have never seen Him. Read Mark 9:14-29 to learn how one man tried to overcome his lack of faith.
Next:
Why might believers occasionally struggle with doubt in certain areas of their spiritual lives? Why does the Bible compare one who doubts to an ocean wave tossed by the wind? (James 1:6-8).
tom felten on October 29, 2013 at 8:26 am
Jen, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the Old Testament points to Jesus. Yes, we can search the whole Bible for spiritual guidance—finding the truth and wisdom found in Him! Both the Old Testament and New Testament have been used by God to inspire and grow my faith.
jennifer benson schuldt on October 29, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Tom,
You probably know how much I LOVE the Old Testament. Of course, the New Testament is wonderful too. 🙂 For me, the Old Testament presentation of truth through stories (although not exclusively) sings to my heart. The Old Testament does indeed point to Christ. It contains the history of Jesus’ physical lineage, and it also has a theme of redemption running through it. We know that Jesus is the one and only Redeemer of mankind.
tgustafs on October 29, 2013 at 8:42 am
Jennifer, I love the line, “Bring your doubts—whatever they are—to God.” I think we can say the same thing about every one of our emotions.
jennifer benson schuldt on October 29, 2013 at 12:27 pm
tgustafs,
Yes, bring your doubts, hopes, fears, victories, frustrations, hesitations, and heartbreaks to God. The list could go on and on… 🙂
mike wittmer on October 29, 2013 at 9:59 pm
You are so right that God will turn our desire for him into knowledge, for he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
roxanne robbins on October 29, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Faith on the fence seems parallel to having a degree of trust in God but not confident trust, as described in the following verse.
Thank you for this post, Jenn. It’s timely for me personally as I crave faith that is less prone to teetering and more inclined to exhibit stable faith.
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
winn collier on October 31, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I’m Thomas in so many ways…
daisymarygoldr on November 3, 2013 at 11:41 am
It must be miserable… to be living like Thomas. Thomas himself doubted just once. He doubted the deity of Jesus Christ. And the Lord’s advice to Thomas was: “Stop doubting and believe.”
There are many false teachings out there that encourage people to doubt by providing examples of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Job, David, Asaph, Elijah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist. It needs to be noted, those individuals did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit like we do.
Some teachers even go the extent of using the example of Thomas to justify mature Christians that question their beliefs. Thomas was just a three-year old follower when he doubted the Lord. He can be compared to a toddler who is trying to say “Jesus”. The mature Thomas was persecuted for preaching the risen Lord and did not shrink back but gladly gave his life so many more might receive Jesus and have eternal life.
Interestingly, none of the doubt teachings give examples of a doubting disciple post Pentecost. It is because there is none. God’s word and His Spirit lead us into all truth and leave no room for conflicting thoughts. Christians live by faith and not by sight. And Faith is the gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9)
Sadly, doubt is the new faith in the church today. It is not surprising to see both pastors and people doubting God and His Word. Jesus had already warned us: “when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”