Questions

Many times, we as Christians can fall into the legalistic or Pharisaical trap. The trap of believing that we cannot ask questions or have doubts.

Yet…that is not true.

I know, I know, I sense the appalling shock radiating across the web 😉 But it’s the truth. There is nothing wrong or sinful about having questions or doubts. It does not make you less of a Christian if or when you have them.

Some of you are probably doubting (hee hee, had to put that pun there xD) that. So, here’s the actual definition of what it means to doubt from Merriam Webster.

Doubt: “a lack of confidence,” “uncertainty of belief or opinion,” “to consider unlikely.”

Nowhere in this definition does it say anything about not believing. Sure, it says, “an uncertainty of belief,” but that only means you aren’t 100% sure in what you believe – not that you don’t believe.

Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, doubted that he had risen from the dead when the other disciples told him. He said that unless he put his own hands where the nails were in Jesus’ hands and on his side, he would not believe.

John 20:26-29 says, “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

What I find interesting about this (and actually just noticed xD), is the fact that Jesus does not condemn Thomas for doubting. I mean, you would think, he would be angry or annoyed by it – He just died for him! But instead, He says, “Peace be with you.”

That is the last thing I would expect. After all of the miracles Jesus had done in front of the disciples and the suffering He had gone through – peace, would be the last thing I would expect Jesus to tell him.

I think that tells us something though. God is not going to condemn us or punish us for having doubts. I’ve had my own doubts – and they weren’t fun at all. It caused me to have a lot of anxiety. Maybe, that’s why, Jesus – before he said anything else – said, “Peace be with you.”

Further, when doubts come, questions often arrive hand-in-hand with it. Similarly, many times people believe that we should not have questions about God, faith, or suffering.

Matthew 27:45 says, “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).”

Jesus, who was without sin and completely perfect, questioned God. Now, I don’t think it can be any clearer than that. If the Son of God, asked Him questions, then why shouldn’t we?

~ Southern Dreamer