Is doubt a spiritual weakness?
– Doubt is often perceived as a a weakness in the Christian faith. However if we look at the biblical data, the scripture is more nuanced when it comes to the topic of faith and doubt. Some of the best known biblical characters expressed doubts in their faith journey – Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Gideon, to name a few. To our surprise, they are included on the Hebrews 11 list – the Hall of Faith.
– Os Guiness wrote: If ours is an examined faith, we should be unafraid of doubt. If doubt is eventually justified, we were believing what clearly was not worth believing. But if doubt is answered, our faith has grown stronger. It knows God more certainly and it can enjoy God more deeply. (In Two Minds: The Dilemma of Doubt & How to Resolve It)
Series theme
– Why do some people emerge out of questioning and doubting with a stronger faith – like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Gideon – while others stay in doubt, and are not able to move on? Some even feel disillusioned and eventually leave their faith for good.
– What differentiate the two groups?
– In this series, we will identify four factors that often determine the outcome of our doubts.
– We can’t avoid the circumstances and crises in life that lead us to doubt, but we can learn to handle doubt and respond in a way that helps us emerge with a breakthrough in faith.
Jesus answers John’s doubt (Matthew 11:1-6)
– Jesus answered John, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
– This is a very important saying. Blessed are you when you are not tripped up by the discrepancy between what God is doing and what you think God should do.
– In other words, deal with your expectations. Don’t let your expectations trip you up. When your expectations of God doesn’t match who God really is, should God change to accommodate your expectations? Or should you change to accommodate the reality of God?
Be flexible to adjust expectations
– Doubts arise when our assumptions and expectations does not match reality – the reality of the world, the reality of who we are, the reality of who God is.
– But it would be wise, and necessary, when doubts arise, that we have the humility and the courage to examine our assumptions and question our expectations.
How Jesus deals with doubts (Matthew 11:25-30)
– Jesus comes back to where it all begins – his intimate relationship with the Father.
– Jesus comes back to the complete trust a son has on his Father.
– He re-aligns his earthly mission to his identity in the Father and his relationship with the Father.
– Sometimes the best way to address our doubt may not be through answers. Sometimes the best way is by resting upon our relationship with the Heavenly Father.
Discipleship
– Come to me – let me give you rest
– Learn from me – do as I do, practice what I tell you
– Take my yoke upon you – Jesus’ yoke is his intimate relationship with the Father. It is his simple trust with the Father at all times.
– Perhaps the solution to your doubt will not be found in any answers. Perhaps the solution to your doubt can only be found in a deepening relationship with the Father.
– Jesus’ invitation: Join my relationship with God. Share my simple trust to the good, good Father. I want to share my yoke with you. I am inviting you to come along side. Let my yoke bear the weight. Then you will experience for yourself how easy and how light it really is.
Prayer and reflection
– Know that you are accepted. God is not mad at you when you seek him and ask sincere questions.
– Will you try Jesus’ approach to doubt?
– Ask God to help you.
