People say the strangest things and give light to their most inner thoughts and feelings. Such is the case of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. "I know I believe in God but I have doubts, and doubt is part of faith," she said while discussing the President’s faith and beliefs. Either the woman doesn’t really believe in God or she doesn’t know much about the Bible and what she is supposed to believe to be a follower of God. Notice that she never said anything about Christ.  To be charitable, the latter will be chosen as the reason for her statement.

A man in the Bible named Thomas, called Didymus, is referred to as Doubting Thomas for what he said before he saw Jesus after the resurrection. Thomas was told by the disciples that they had seen Jesus. Thomas said, [John 20:25] ... 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.  Whether Thomas doubted that who the disciples saw was Jesus or whether he was being careful isn’t known. It could be either or a combination. What can be known when Jesus appeared and Thomas saw and touched the wounds is found in John 20:28: And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Then in verse 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.  In II Corinthians 5:7 Paul wrote essentially the same as Jesus said about believing: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Following Jesus is a process of faith which requires the believer to act out the faith with right living and good deeds. There is no room for doubt. One either believes or has faith or one doesn’t. If one doesn’t believe in Jesus how is one able to live for Jesus? The answer is simple. You can’t.

The Book of John has two verses to end chapter 20 that testify to the truth of the Risen Lord. John 20:30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [John 20:31] 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.  The translation doesn’t give the full import of the Greek meaning with the words might believe. It actually means to make possible without doubt about Jesus and the eternal life he gives.

John in the book of I John wrote many things about having knowledge of Jesus and unswerving faith in him. In Chapter 5:13 we find these words: [1 John 5:13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Then in [1 John 5:20]: And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

It is obvious from a study of scripture that doubt isn’t a part of faith and Madeleine Albright is wrong, as are so many who try to convince others of their belief in God. One must have the unshakable belief as expressed by Paul to Timothy: [2 Tim 1:12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

In what and in whom do you believe today as you read this lesson? Is it in the risen Lord or are you filled with doubt about him? Remember, doubt isn’t a part of the faith which brings salvation no matter what others may say.

© 05-27-2006 DEC

              Next Lesson Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth