John 20

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭20:21-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In this powerful scripture, Jesus fills the disciples with the Holy Spirit.  He then sends them into the world to teach the Good News about salvation, and gives them the authority to forgive the sins of others.  We are called to continue His work in this world, drawing from the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit that is inside each of us. Do you ever get tired or discouraged when you are trying to tell others about Jesus and it seems like no one cares?  Do you tend to focus on the 10 people that will not listen to the truth instead of the 1 that does?  Ask God to help you acknowledge and be led by the Holy Spirit whenever you try talking to someone about Jesus.  This will empower you and help you find the right words to say.  Your words may or may not affect the heart of that particular person on that day.  Whatever the outcome, know that you are following the call of Jesus, which should help you to stay positive and prompt you to keep going!

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭20:24-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Almost everyone has doubts about God and what He can do at some point along their journey as a Christian.  Doubting is not always a negative thing, as it can actually lead to a strengthening of faith.  Doubting prompts investigation, prayer and discussion.  This will ultimately lead us to know more about God and His Word, and will bring us closer to Him. Thomas happens to be the most famous example of someone who expressed his doubt about the risen Lord, and we can learn from his example.  Our doubts can come in a variety of forms:

1. Intellectual doubt.  With this form, the first step is to clearly identify what the question is.  Sometimes it is helpful to talk it out with other believers in order to clearly identify the question or problem.  This type of doubt can be helped by researching the topic in question, until we are satisfied that the evidence is in favor of one side over another.  Biblical faith is not opposed to evidence, but instead encourages reason, wisdom and logic: “Blessed are those who find wisdom,  those who gain understanding” (Proverbs 3:13). Faith is simply trusting in what you have good reason to believe to be true.

2. Emotional doubt.  This type does not have a clear and defined question as a root cause.  The source can be due to a past experience of disappointment, pain, loss, failure, conflict, or allowing our emotions to run wild.  Emotions are a natural and normal part of being human, but they can sometimes lead us astray. They must be examined carefully in order to discern whether our doubt is rooted in emotions or feelings.  Prayer and the advice of other mature believers are the most valuable tools in helping with this type of doubt.

3. Doubts stemming from lack of growth.  Our goal in life as Christians is to strive to become more like Jesus.  Spiritual maturity is a daily process that takes time and energy. If we are making an effort to grow spiritually, we should see results being produced in our lives and the lives of those around us. So, to rule out this type of doubt, we need to evaluate how much we are doing to facilitate our spiritual growth.  Ask yourself: “Am I reading my Bible regularly, praying throughout the day, sharing my faith, living in community with other believers, and exhibiting love towards those around me?”  Sin can also hinder the spiritual maturation process and lead to doubt, as it causes relational distance between us and God.  We should periodically ask God to examine us to make sure there is no sin or disobedience within us: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24).   We need to be honest about our doubts.  Don’t hide them or feel guilty that you are having them.  “Be merciful to those who doubt” (Jude 1:22).  This includes yourself, as well as others. 

Turn your doubts into an opportunity to take your faith to another level.  God will meet you right where you are at if you are honestly seeking an answer with a pure motive.  Ask Him to show you that He is Who He says He is, and to help you believe that He can do what He says He can do.