Be Not Faithless

Be not faithless! Most of us are very familiar with doubting Thomas, who needed to see the nail prints in the hands of Jesus before he would really believe that it was truly his Lord. However, I suspect that most of us would be just like Thomas.

24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John 20:24-29, KJV

Be Not Faithless

Most of us are very familiar with doubting Thomas, who needed to see the nail prints in the hands of Jesus before he would really believe that it was truly his Lord. However, I suspect that most of us would be just like Thomas.

One of the greatest difficulties for Christians today is caused by their deep immersion into the things of this life. It is understandable; these are the things we feel and see every day. Our lives are consumed with making a living, raising children, and just getting by each day.

As Christians, we love to speak of the Lord's return, but I am wondering how many of us would recognize Jesus if He were walking down our street today? We are often guilty of fragmenting our lives so that God has a little portion, and then the rest is for living in this world. Is that really what God intended?

Where does this separation come from? Is this really what God demands of us? There is no separation! Every area of our lives, no matter how large or how small, is God's. Everywhere, and in all things, serving our Lord Jesus Christ should be uppermost in our hearts and minds. What kind of change would we see in our world today if every Christian followed that premise?

Thomas doubted; he was too consumed with the hard realities of life. Christ chided him, "Be not faithless." Let us lift up our hearts to our Lord, and pray that He would consume every thought and intent of our hearts and minds. By God's grace, may we not be faithless.

Next: Life through His Name, verses 30-31