Skeptics: The Show-Me Kind
Now Thomas (also known as 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.”
John 20:24-25 (NIV)
‘Show-me' skeptics come in 2 basic groups:
The 'please-show-me-I-want-to-believe' group.
The 'I-won't-believe-no-matter-what' group.
Thomas, a brave and truthful apostle, is a well-known example of the first. He wanted to believe what his friends had seen, but that type of faith was harder for him.
Please note:
Jesus gave Thomas “the proof” he needed, because his skepticism was based on hope.
Christ continues to give hopeful skeptics the evidence they desperately seek. Deniers who became big believers include Paul, Earth’s greatest evangelist.
In more recent times, atheists, agnostics, and prodigals (who turned into famous Christians) include:
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Derek Prince
C.S. Lewis
Kirk Cameron
Lee Strobel
Bob Dylan
Alice Cooper
Nikki Taylor
Here's the bottom line:
Jesus knows our hearts. On earth, He wouldn’t perform miracles for mean-mouthed skeptics. But for true seekers, He was truly found.
How wondrous that He meets us where we are!
Like the dad of the demon-possessed son, who said to Jesus: ' 'If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' '
The pleading father's amazing response? ' 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!' ' (Mark 9:22-24). Jesus honored his effort to believe. Resultingly, the boy was delivered.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Jesus was (and therefore, you must become)...
An equal opportunity witness.
In your off-stage behavior, act like Him. To 'show-me' skeptics with a hopeful heart, you may plant a small seed of interest… that God may prompt someone else to water. I believe He’ll run to embrace each one.
But…
To others who use scorn as a weapon, let them go their way. Then brush their scorn off!
Meanwhile…
Keep fishing. You never know who will bite!
Skeptics: The Show-Me Kind (Part 3)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings. This series is a re-write of a prior 2014 series.