But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe. And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my GOD. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this Book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of GOD; and that believing ye might have life through His Name. (Joh 20:24-31)
Thomas gets a bad rap, for all the disciples ran and hid, and didn't believe until they saw. He is singled out in the Scriptures to demonstrate the difference between confirmed faith, by evidence and experience, and believing faith, which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Jesus blesses both, without condemning Thomas' questions, for he did believe. Our Lord and our GOD does, however, elevate believing faith as the greater for it is that faith in Him that leads to Salvation and reconciliation with GOD the Father through repentance and trusting in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness of sIn and justification with GOD.
Our faith in Him is greater because we have not seen, with our physical eyes, but we have seen through His Word and with the Spirit, and believe. Our faith, which comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD, is not blind, but rooted in Scripture and fully relying on GOD, the GOD who cannot lie, and will not fail. His Word will not go out void, but it will accomplish that which He pleases, just as He did when He came to this earth, and just as He will do when He returns to reign and rule over His earthly Kingdom. We who know Him and are born again through the Spirit of GOD will be with Him.
Until that day, we who are His, as members of the body of Christ, His Church, are to be on mission for Him. Through His power we are to do His will and accomplish His work here on this earth, in the world but not of it, until He is finished with us. As His servants we are called to serve others who are hurting and in need. As His friends we are commanded to love one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD. As His ambassadors we are commissioned to take the whole Word to this lost and dying world that all may know Him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and repent, believing the Good News and having life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Our faith in Him is greater because we have not seen, with our physical eyes, but we have seen through His Word and with the Spirit, and believe. Our faith, which comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD, is not blind, but rooted in Scripture and fully relying on GOD, the GOD who cannot lie, and will not fail. His Word will not go out void, but it will accomplish that which He pleases, just as He did when He came to this earth, and just as He will do when He returns to reign and rule over His earthly Kingdom. We who know Him and are born again through the Spirit of GOD will be with Him.
Until that day, we who are His, as members of the body of Christ, His Church, are to be on mission for Him. Through His power we are to do His will and accomplish His work here on this earth, in the world but not of it, until He is finished with us. As His servants we are called to serve others who are hurting and in need. As His friends we are commanded to love one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD. As His ambassadors we are commissioned to take the whole Word to this lost and dying world that all may know Him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and repent, believing the Good News and having life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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