Someone asked a few weeks ago about how to overcome persistent doubts, and I finally got a chance to respond, as this has been a persistent issue in my own life. As I began to write the title to the post, when I typed the last word, "doubts," I experienced a rush of heavenly light from above--less than a second-- which was a confirmation for those of us who suffer from obsessive/compulsive doubts. The answer is that this can only happen (recovery) with help from God. On our own power, many Christians can end up on that gerbil wheel, over and over. This is a sign that we are relying on our own resources to fight spiritual battles, and can also be an expression of inner rebellion, or resisting God's Light. This is understandable since human nature, fallen human nature can naturally resist God's light without our even realizing it.
But, the Bible has help, which is the quickest way to overcome doubts-- get into the Word, live like Jesus lived, and the Apostles, and like the Psalms say--"He arose early, before sunrise..." and went to the temple. Jesus and Peter, and other apostles confirmed the word with their lives, that as Christians, we are the "body of Christ," or family of faith, together with Heaven's armies--as ONE in the Light, like our great "faithful witness in the heavens," as Paul said about the sun which represents God's eternal light.
There are also warnings, sometimes serious warnings, to help jump-start our faith. The Lord can, and often does, appear to people to call us or encourage us, but growing in faith without seeing, hearing, or feeling God's presence is necessary, because once we are given warnings, then we are more accountable as Jesus said: "to whom much is given, from the same much will be expected."
Whiners and doubters are disciplined often severely in the Bible, because it is an offense to the Honor of God and His servants. When an angel appeared to Zacharias to announce the birth of John the Baptist, he said "how can this be?" And he was made mute by the Angel to remind him not to doubt God's will and power, ESPECIALLY not before a servant authorized to deliver a message. When Mary doubted, she was treated more gently, possibly because of her age, and possibly her attitude, or her greater position of honor or the way each person spoke--their tone of voice.
Our warning today is that doubting God's word to the point of rejecting it, may be the only unforgiveable sin. Let this encourage us who doubt, and we should be merciful towards ourselves, since some doubts come from insecurities at having been wounded as a child.
The Bible always has the answers--if we are determined enough to overcome issues to read it--preferably at 3:00AM and 5:00AM like Jesus did.
But, the Bible has help, which is the quickest way to overcome doubts-- get into the Word, live like Jesus lived, and the Apostles, and like the Psalms say--"He arose early, before sunrise..." and went to the temple. Jesus and Peter, and other apostles confirmed the word with their lives, that as Christians, we are the "body of Christ," or family of faith, together with Heaven's armies--as ONE in the Light, like our great "faithful witness in the heavens," as Paul said about the sun which represents God's eternal light.
There are also warnings, sometimes serious warnings, to help jump-start our faith. The Lord can, and often does, appear to people to call us or encourage us, but growing in faith without seeing, hearing, or feeling God's presence is necessary, because once we are given warnings, then we are more accountable as Jesus said: "to whom much is given, from the same much will be expected."
Whiners and doubters are disciplined often severely in the Bible, because it is an offense to the Honor of God and His servants. When an angel appeared to Zacharias to announce the birth of John the Baptist, he said "how can this be?" And he was made mute by the Angel to remind him not to doubt God's will and power, ESPECIALLY not before a servant authorized to deliver a message. When Mary doubted, she was treated more gently, possibly because of her age, and possibly her attitude, or her greater position of honor or the way each person spoke--their tone of voice.
Our warning today is that doubting God's word to the point of rejecting it, may be the only unforgiveable sin. Let this encourage us who doubt, and we should be merciful towards ourselves, since some doubts come from insecurities at having been wounded as a child.
The Bible always has the answers--if we are determined enough to overcome issues to read it--preferably at 3:00AM and 5:00AM like Jesus did.