Post by Mongo the Destroyer on May 11, 2018 23:19:40 GMT -5
Disclaimer/ Explanation: Ok, so some of you know that I have a Bible blog I update on Saturdays (my time, obviously). I don't like to advertise it so I don't talk about it much here but this week's article ties in with the discussion we were having earlier this week. Well, at least it gets to the meat of what I was trying to do; which was make you guys consider your beliefs and whatnot more broadly. Anyway, even though the style is less Christian-centric, consider that it's a Bible blog so the primary audience is Jesus freaks and there's gonna be two scoops of Scripture. Anyway, I'm a bit nervous about sharing it but I figured I would anyway just to get you guys thinking.
When Christians talk about Thomas, it’s usually in reference to his inability to believe that Jesus was resurrected. The Gospel records,
But honestly he was justified in his lack of belief. This was something that had never happened before. Well, except for that time Lazarus was raised (which Tom did see) - but still, nobody had ever raised themselves from the dead. Speaking of Lazarus though, during that time Thomas dropped another faith failure that actually gets an emotional reaction out of me every time I read it.
So Lazarus was dead; Jesus decided to go to him anyway though. We read in John 11:7-8,
The Lord then explained why they were going back:
And this is when Thomas decided to eat his whole foot: “Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him’” (John 11:16). Record scratch. Stop the presses. Everyone turn around with shaming faces. What did you just say Tom? Did you just throw shade on your Christ’s plan? Why are you still here dude?
Now, some people could argue that Thomas was willing to die for Jesus, and maybe that’s true; he very well might have been willing to die. Peter had made similar statements to Jesus, “But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same” (Matthew 26:35). Granted, Peter went on to disown Jesus- three times no less- but at least he was sincere in his statement. I mean, Peter also spoke through his faith even before Tom’s outburst:
So Peter legitimately was willing to follow Jesus even into a volcano. Thomas? ….ehhhhh. Obviously he didn’t really buy into the divinity of Jesus (the dude is called “doubting Thomas” for a reason). And though he followed Jesus the teacher, he foresaw this coming trip to Judea to be the end of their adventures.
This is important for us though too. Jesus once asked his crew what they really thought of him:
Peter had come to understand that Jesus was the savior and the Lord. For most believers (I think), this is a given. We trust that Jesus is God and that salvation is only found through him. But then there are folks today like Thomas who go to church and then don’t really buy into it all. I was one of these Christians for much of my life. I vaguely believed in God and Christianity seemed inoffensive enough; I didn’t really get into any of it though. But is that really being a Christian? When I finally read the bible, that’s what the Holy Spirit confronted me with. Did I really believe in Jesus or was I just sort of following along?
I want you to take a few moments today and really consider where you stand in your beliefs. When Thomas spoke out in his lack of faith and understanding it was very …dumb. He was willing to follow this guy he only had a surface understanding of into a dangerous situation. That’s foolishness. And yet so many people are willing to die on the hill of beliefs (Christian or non-Christian) they don’t really have a lot invested into. Paul himself said,
If you are a Christian but don’t even try to understand what that means then you’re wasting your time and effort. Your hope is in a flying spaghetti monster- is that worth wasting your life believing in and following the commands of? The same goes for atheists. If there is no God and we’re all evolved from animals then why live like life is precious? Evolution supposedly comes through the advancement of better genes and helpful mutations. From a godless perspective the weak, sick, and in-need are a detriment on society and an abomination to the gene pool. Is that a repugnant thing to say? At least it’s consistent. With our knowledge and understanding we should be able to focus on advancing humanity (again, I’m speaking from a godless perspective) not caring for genetic mistakes. That’s evolution and that’s a godless existence. Life is only precious if you can see that we’re designed differently from the animals. According to the Bible God made us in his image: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). That’s why I’m here on this earth. And God has a plan for my life: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36). That is why I’m still here even after going through extremely tough times. The question is why are you?
You can believe what you want. I’m not here to proselytize today. But what I am arguing is that you at least be consistent in your beliefs- or maybe reconsider what flag you fly based on what you actually believe. Jesus spoke to one of the churches,
If you’re gonna pick a side, then at least commit to it and learn about what it is you’re supporting. Don’t think so little of your life that you buy into any passing wind. A plant spreads its roots to absorb from its plot. If you’re willing to die on a hill, at least know what you’re dying for. What Thomas said was stupid and ignorant- and he was a follower of Jesus! Don’t be like him in your faith (whatever you believe). You are capable of so much more.
Thomas, Why Are You Here?
When Christians talk about Thomas, it’s usually in reference to his inability to believe that Jesus was resurrected. The Gospel records,
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it” (John 20:24-25).
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it” (John 20:24-25).
But honestly he was justified in his lack of belief. This was something that had never happened before. Well, except for that time Lazarus was raised (which Tom did see) - but still, nobody had ever raised themselves from the dead. Speaking of Lazarus though, during that time Thomas dropped another faith failure that actually gets an emotional reaction out of me every time I read it.
So Lazarus was dead; Jesus decided to go to him anyway though. We read in John 11:7-8,
Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”
“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”
The Lord then explained why they were going back:
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
So then he told them plainly. “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him” (John 11:11-15).
His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
So then he told them plainly. “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him” (John 11:11-15).
And this is when Thomas decided to eat his whole foot: “Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him’” (John 11:16). Record scratch. Stop the presses. Everyone turn around with shaming faces. What did you just say Tom? Did you just throw shade on your Christ’s plan? Why are you still here dude?
Now, some people could argue that Thomas was willing to die for Jesus, and maybe that’s true; he very well might have been willing to die. Peter had made similar statements to Jesus, “But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same” (Matthew 26:35). Granted, Peter went on to disown Jesus- three times no less- but at least he was sincere in his statement. I mean, Peter also spoke through his faith even before Tom’s outburst:
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:66-69).
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:66-69).
So Peter legitimately was willing to follow Jesus even into a volcano. Thomas? ….ehhhhh. Obviously he didn’t really buy into the divinity of Jesus (the dude is called “doubting Thomas” for a reason). And though he followed Jesus the teacher, he foresaw this coming trip to Judea to be the end of their adventures.
This is important for us though too. Jesus once asked his crew what they really thought of him:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-16).
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-16).
Peter had come to understand that Jesus was the savior and the Lord. For most believers (I think), this is a given. We trust that Jesus is God and that salvation is only found through him. But then there are folks today like Thomas who go to church and then don’t really buy into it all. I was one of these Christians for much of my life. I vaguely believed in God and Christianity seemed inoffensive enough; I didn’t really get into any of it though. But is that really being a Christian? When I finally read the bible, that’s what the Holy Spirit confronted me with. Did I really believe in Jesus or was I just sort of following along?
I want you to take a few moments today and really consider where you stand in your beliefs. When Thomas spoke out in his lack of faith and understanding it was very …dumb. He was willing to follow this guy he only had a surface understanding of into a dangerous situation. That’s foolishness. And yet so many people are willing to die on the hill of beliefs (Christian or non-Christian) they don’t really have a lot invested into. Paul himself said,
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Corinthians 15:16-19).
If you are a Christian but don’t even try to understand what that means then you’re wasting your time and effort. Your hope is in a flying spaghetti monster- is that worth wasting your life believing in and following the commands of? The same goes for atheists. If there is no God and we’re all evolved from animals then why live like life is precious? Evolution supposedly comes through the advancement of better genes and helpful mutations. From a godless perspective the weak, sick, and in-need are a detriment on society and an abomination to the gene pool. Is that a repugnant thing to say? At least it’s consistent. With our knowledge and understanding we should be able to focus on advancing humanity (again, I’m speaking from a godless perspective) not caring for genetic mistakes. That’s evolution and that’s a godless existence. Life is only precious if you can see that we’re designed differently from the animals. According to the Bible God made us in his image: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). That’s why I’m here on this earth. And God has a plan for my life: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36). That is why I’m still here even after going through extremely tough times. The question is why are you?
You can believe what you want. I’m not here to proselytize today. But what I am arguing is that you at least be consistent in your beliefs- or maybe reconsider what flag you fly based on what you actually believe. Jesus spoke to one of the churches,
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:14-16).
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:14-16).
If you’re gonna pick a side, then at least commit to it and learn about what it is you’re supporting. Don’t think so little of your life that you buy into any passing wind. A plant spreads its roots to absorb from its plot. If you’re willing to die on a hill, at least know what you’re dying for. What Thomas said was stupid and ignorant- and he was a follower of Jesus! Don’t be like him in your faith (whatever you believe). You are capable of so much more.