Everyday 44: Doubt and Scripture

Faith in Christ does not demand the suppression of questions or the pretense of unwavering certainty. Instead, it is a journey of bringing every honest question and every point of doubt directly under the authority of God's revealed Word and before the presence of the risen Lord Jesus himself. To have faith is not to possess an absence of doubt, but rather to submit all inquiries to the truth of Scripture, allowing it to shape understanding and deepen reliance on Jesus.
The Bible consistently portrays faith not as a blind acceptance, but as an informed and personal response. For example, the believers in Berea were praised in Acts 17:11 because "They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." This demonstrates that a diligent examination of the word of God is a commendable act of faith. Likewise, when Thomas expressed doubt, as recorded in John 20:27-31, his skepticism was met directly by the risen Christ, which led Thomas to declare, "My Lord and my God!" The very purpose of the writing, as stated, is so that you "may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Furthermore, Jude 22 instructs believers to "Have mercy on those who doubt," illustrating that doubt is to be met with compassion rather than condemnation within the community of faith.
Therefore, when doubts arise, you are encouraged not to turn away from Christ, but to draw nearer to Him through His Word. Let the witness of Scripture—which consistently points to the person and work of Jesus Christ—be the source of your assurance. Just as Thomas's doubt was resolved by an encounter with the living Lord, your deepest questions can lead to a more profound trust in your risen Savior, who is fully worthy of your unwavering allegiance.