Believing Is Seeing

Thanks for dropping by today. I pray you had a wonderful Easter and that you are still rejoicing over our risen King!

Notice how I put the title of todays post as "believing is seeing", and not the other way around?

If you think about it, we do that every day. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true, even though we did not witness the events discussed or know the people involved. We read about issues and events in the newspaper or on the internet and believe that the words we read are fact, without a doubt. We put faith in the organization or news crew that produced the articles or reported the facts, even though we did not actually see anything with our own eyes.

Why is it that we have a much harder time believing in Gods Word and believing that He is behind all activities and happenings in the universe, even though the Holy Bible says it is so? Why is it easier to believe a story from a news reporter, than what is written in Gods Word?

Our sight depends on our faith.

Faith is not something we can see. There is no visual evidence. In fact, even the Bible is written in words, and not in pictures. It requires us to think, imagine and visualize, instead of being able to see pictures of how things once were.

Most people need to see something to truly believe it. They want to lay their own eyes on the cold hard proof, before they can believe in their heart and mind that what they were told was true - unless of course it comes from a trustworthy source, like the news (ha!). For some things in life, this philosophy works just fine, but not when it comes to faith in Jesus.

The official definition of faith is a "firm belief in something of which there is no proof." Faith requires that we believe, despite not having any visual evidence.

If seeing were believing, then faith would be irrelevant and unnecessary, and Jesus would forever be trying to convince us that He was the Holy One, through signs and wonders and miracles. He would forever be frustrated, since our faith would fade as soon as we felt the need to see just one more example of proof of His existence, His sovereignty, or His power. If we could see Him, we would probably never truly believe in Him.

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Faith only comes by hearing His Word, and believing it. No matter what. Without a shadow of a doubt. Without being swayed by new age religions or practices that seem a little more appealing. Without needing constant proof that He is God.

Living in a fallen world assures us that we will face temptations not to believe.

We will face people who doubt God is real and want us to share in those doubts.

We will face opportunities to turn away from God and believe in other religions, which may seem more popular, trendy, appealing or modern-day.

We will face ridicule for having faith.

But that is where true faith comes in. Faith that is not swayed by new ideas, impressive people, or eloquent preaching.

Faith that will not die just because something easier and more fun comes along.

Faith that is strong, and can hold up under pressure.

Faith that is based on the belief that He was, is and will be the only Savior ever known to mankind.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

We cant see God, but we can see His activity in our life.... if we believe.

We cant see God, but we can see His power working within us....if we believe.

We cant see God, but we see His Words and understand their meaning....if we believe.

If you ask me, we see what we want to see. We can choose to believe.... and then we see.

If you have felt lured to doubt Gods presence, power, and omnipotence as a result of listening to false teachings, being persuaded by others, or dealing with doubts that have been planted in your mind by those who dont believe because they cannot see, pray for God to remove those doubts today.

If you have been doubting God and His omnipotence because you cannot see His activity in your life, pray for Him to open your eyes to His presence. Pray for Him to pour into your life so powerfully that you cannot doubt that He is at work. Pray for Him to make His presence knownt to you.... and never think something is ironic. It is God.

Pray for strong, unshakable faith.

And remember, believing is seeing.

John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”