Faith, part 12

A common excuse for a lack of faith is a need for proof. This is a lie. Some want evidence, and this is legitimate, but those who claim they need proof don’t really want it. They just want an excuse. It is healthy to build up the foundation of our faith with evidence, but requiring proof is dumb. We only require proof when we are incapable of having faith.

Fortunately, grace covers all manner of sins. This sin of requiring proof is addressed plainly by Jesus after His resurrection when He speaks to Thomas in John 20:29:

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

It is better to believe through faith than through proof, but believing in Christ when you witness His presence is in no way evil. Many saw Christ with their own eyes during His ministry, and did not believe. Thomas, one of His disciples, did not believe until he saw the wounds of the crucifixion for himself. It is better to see and believe than to see and still not believe. One can be dumb like Thomas, and still be saved.

Wanting evidence isn’t dumb. I’ve sought it out in the past, and found it’s easy to obtain if you aren’t just looking for excuses not to believe. Do not withhold evidence from those who would persistently seek it out. For some it is an excuse, but some do really want some answers. Don’t withhold them from those that seek them. Offer them Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ, Josh McDowell’s More than Just a Jewish Carpenter, or a number of other books that speak to the evidence that Christ is the savior sent to redeem us of our sins. If reading these books leads someone Christ then that is a blessing. They can follow the Lord’s will, and spend eternity in heaven.

Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed. Those who read such books still believe through faith, for none of us can touch the wounds of Christ as Thomas could. Those who use this need for proof as an excuse would not believe even if Christ stood before them. We should believe through faith. Sometimes having a little knowledge helps with that. There’s nothing wrong with that, for an honest search for truth will always lead to Jesus. Research if you must, but don’t be dumb. Believe. Have faith. Be blessed.