Proof

John 20:24-29

People often need proof to believe something. "Seeing is believing".

In the 16th centrury, a method of determining alcohol content was often used by soaking gun powder with the rum or whiskey. If the gun powder could be ignited, then that was considered "proof" that the alcohol had not been watered down. This method was standardized in the U.S. in 1848. 50% alcohol by volume (ABV) was considered 100 proof.

The Apostle Thomas wanted proof. He needed to see and touch (John 20:24-25).

When Jesus appeared to the Apostles in a locked room, He invited Thomas to put his fingers in the holes in His hands and to touch His side where He had been speared. Thomas' reaction was beautiful (John20:28), "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus' answer to Thomas was quite scathing, in my opinion. "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

If you have to have evidence before you believe, then you don't trust anything the Apostles have written as eye witnesses. The Gospel of Jesus Christ requires faith to believe. Faith is the key to receiving the righteousnous of Christ Jesus (Genesis 15:3-6 and 1 Peter 1:8-9).

We believe because of the hope Jesus holds out. We believe because our Great God has made a way for us to escape His wrath and to be able to stand in the presence of His Glory (Jude 1:24). We believe because of the goal set before us (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) so we can keep moving forward, not blindly, but by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Because in Christ, there is joy and peace in all circumstances (John 16:33 and 1 Peter 1:8).

Soon, this life will be a very distant memory (Isaiah 51:6 and Revelation 21:1-4). So we have not seen, but we believe.

God is AWESOME!

All of Your Mind

Matthew 22:37

I listened to a sermon online that focused on the part of Matthew 22:37 that says "with all your mind".

It got the wheels turning in my little head. I had to ask myself if I did that. The harsh reality is that the answer is no.

The Bible warns believers to guard our hearts and our minds (Provers 4 20-27; Romans 12:2). I fell under great conviction.

Does it mean I am to meditate on God's Word day and night? Well, yes. We are told to hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11; Isaiah 26:3). We are to be very careful about what we let into our minds (Ephesian 6:17) because once it worms it's way into our hearts, our words can greatly affect our testimony (Luke 6:45) and eventully cause a falling away (Isaiah 29:13; Luke 15:7-9).

We are redeemed, Christ Jesus has imputed His righteousness to us, but we still have not shed our sinful nature. We have that constant battle with the flesh, lustful, greedy, angry, envious thoughts that crop up in our hearts and minds (Galatians 5:19-26). We must use every tool available to fend them off. One of the most useful resources that we are given is our brothers and sisters in Christ (Hebrews 10:23-25; Galatians 6:1-2).

Practice disciplining our minds (Philippians 4:8). The sciences are great for this. The more we learn about how the physical and natural world work and how vast and beautiful the universe is, the more in awe we stand before our Great and Glorious God and we bask in the wonder of all of it having been created through and for and being held together in Christ Jesus (Colossian 1:15-20).

God is AWSOME!