“Doubt is dangerous to faith”, is a remark by Jon Bloom in an article I read today. I see that at different stages, while on our faith-walk, both doubt and faith can co-exist. My favorite example is Peter in Matthew 14:30. He boldly asks Jesus if He can join Him as Jesus walks on water – unheard of. Notice that no one else wants to go to Jesus on the water – kudos to Peter. I think that is the critical issue. Do we doubt because we depend on us and is faith only activated when we depend on Jesus? Peter follows Jesus but then starts looking around and gathering information on the facts – eyes off Jesus. Fear replaces faith. Peter begins to fail, calls on Jesus, and is saved. Sounds like everyday is an opportunity for salvation as Jesus keeps saving us! The Book of Jude teaches on faith reinforcement. Sometimes we believers need positive and sometimes negative reinforcement. Peter received both, ‘come’ and ‘oh ye of little faith’. Three powerful pictures of faithful living in Jude are (from my leadership Bible): 1)The Jews in the wilderness were destroyed due to unbelief, 2) The fallen angels were imprisoned due to disobedience, and, 3) Sodom and Gomorrah were burned due to immorality and rebellion. Jude is encouraging us to do the right things – believe, obey, and live as close to ‘good’ lives as possible.
I’m sure you thought I might be examining Thomas, but the conclusion to Peter walking on the water is in Matthew vs 32-33, “And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, ‘You are certainly the Son of God'”, and I concur. I would like to be as bold as Peter but able to keep my eyes on Jesus. Amen to that.
