SEEING IS BELIEVING – OR IS IT?
By W. G. Guy
“Seeing is believing was exemplified by “doubting Thomas” as recorded in the Bible.
John 20:24-25 – But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
To believe in something means to have trust, also known as faith. Christianity is the practice of faith, believing in that which you have not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
God’s people are to live their lives by faith, and by being faithful to what God says in His Word, and in accepting what HE has provided through His grace and mercy. It means to have faith in what has been testified by others or in what you have heard.
Romans 10:14-17 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Once a person accepts the gospel message by faith, he is to live the rest of his life expanding that faith and being faithful.
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
This message is so important it is repeated over and over in the Bible because the Old Testament Law cannot provide salvation as does faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:10-14 – For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Old Testament Law of Moses is solely by the works of human effort and does not involve faith. Jesus fulfilled the Law for us and receiving Him by faith redeems us. However, faith needs to endure as it will be tested by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Thus we need to stand firm and continue to increase our faith and faithfulness throughout our life.
Hebrews 10:36-39 – For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
There are those who “draw back” from the faith; which means they no longer have anything to hold firmly onto. The apostle Paul gave the warning that faith can be cast off, made shipwreck, erred from or overthrown.
1 Timothy 1:19 – holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1 Timothy 5:12 – But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having damnation (no salvation), because they have cast off their first faith.
1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul also warned that false preaching, teaching and wrong doctrines can subvert faith and get people to believe in what is false thus destroying the hearers faith.
2 Timothy 2:16-18 – But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Without faith there is no salvation and eternal life. Without faith one is left with UNBELIEF because they have “drawn back unto perdition”, and have forsaken their faith. We must maintain our faith unto the Day of Redemption when we are taken out of here and no longer need faith because we will have arrived at our destination.
Luke 21:28 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
In the meantime the just (saved) shall live by faith, which means there are things we may have to endure in order to continue in faith.
Matthew 10:22 – And ye shall be hated of all men (unbelievers) for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Faith in God, and in what He can do, can accomplish much, especially the kind of things that are impossible for man.
Mark 10:27 – And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Jesus tells us to trust God for all things that we cannot do and need His help with.
Mark 11:22-24 – And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Jesus instructed His disciples to speak in faith concerning their ministry to others such as casting out demons. Jesus recommended fasting in order to build their faith through fellowship with the Father which the demons fear and respect.
Matthew 17:19-21 – Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Jesus also instructed His disciples to speak in faith concerning that they pray about in order to receive.
Matthew 21:21-22 – And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
This verse addresses “doubt” which is the enemy of faith and believing.
James 1:6-8 – But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Doubt reflects lack of faith and causes a person to vacillate back and forth about what he is praying for and being unsure that he will receive. Don’t be a “doubting Thomas”; and don’t question God’s ability, but stand on His sure Word and promises.
Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
That power that works in us is FAITH – BELIEVING Him and His Word. Through such faith we show that we are the children of God to a world that is in need of Him. The world says, “Seeing is believing”; but the Word of God tells us that “believing is seeing”. See your prayers answered with faith; then you will see those answers with your eyes. Put your faith and trust in God that He will perform that which He promised: as Jesus said repeatedly:
Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Living by faith shows the manifestation of who is a true child of God!
Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creatution waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Because the Just shall live by faith!
By W. G. Guy
“Seeing is believing was exemplified by “doubting Thomas” as recorded in the Bible.
John 20:24-25 – But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
To believe in something means to have trust, also known as faith. Christianity is the practice of faith, believing in that which you have not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
God’s people are to live their lives by faith, and by being faithful to what God says in His Word, and in accepting what HE has provided through His grace and mercy. It means to have faith in what has been testified by others or in what you have heard.
Romans 10:14-17 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Once a person accepts the gospel message by faith, he is to live the rest of his life expanding that faith and being faithful.
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
This message is so important it is repeated over and over in the Bible because the Old Testament Law cannot provide salvation as does faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:10-14 – For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Old Testament Law of Moses is solely by the works of human effort and does not involve faith. Jesus fulfilled the Law for us and receiving Him by faith redeems us. However, faith needs to endure as it will be tested by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Thus we need to stand firm and continue to increase our faith and faithfulness throughout our life.
Hebrews 10:36-39 – For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
There are those who “draw back” from the faith; which means they no longer have anything to hold firmly onto. The apostle Paul gave the warning that faith can be cast off, made shipwreck, erred from or overthrown.
1 Timothy 1:19 – holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1 Timothy 5:12 – But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having damnation (no salvation), because they have cast off their first faith.
1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul also warned that false preaching, teaching and wrong doctrines can subvert faith and get people to believe in what is false thus destroying the hearers faith.
2 Timothy 2:16-18 – But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Without faith there is no salvation and eternal life. Without faith one is left with UNBELIEF because they have “drawn back unto perdition”, and have forsaken their faith. We must maintain our faith unto the Day of Redemption when we are taken out of here and no longer need faith because we will have arrived at our destination.
Luke 21:28 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
In the meantime the just (saved) shall live by faith, which means there are things we may have to endure in order to continue in faith.
Matthew 10:22 – And ye shall be hated of all men (unbelievers) for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Faith in God, and in what He can do, can accomplish much, especially the kind of things that are impossible for man.
Mark 10:27 – And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Jesus tells us to trust God for all things that we cannot do and need His help with.
Mark 11:22-24 – And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Jesus instructed His disciples to speak in faith concerning their ministry to others such as casting out demons. Jesus recommended fasting in order to build their faith through fellowship with the Father which the demons fear and respect.
Matthew 17:19-21 – Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Jesus also instructed His disciples to speak in faith concerning that they pray about in order to receive.
Matthew 21:21-22 – And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
This verse addresses “doubt” which is the enemy of faith and believing.
James 1:6-8 – But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Doubt reflects lack of faith and causes a person to vacillate back and forth about what he is praying for and being unsure that he will receive. Don’t be a “doubting Thomas”; and don’t question God’s ability, but stand on His sure Word and promises.
Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
That power that works in us is FAITH – BELIEVING Him and His Word. Through such faith we show that we are the children of God to a world that is in need of Him. The world says, “Seeing is believing”; but the Word of God tells us that “believing is seeing”. See your prayers answered with faith; then you will see those answers with your eyes. Put your faith and trust in God that He will perform that which He promised: as Jesus said repeatedly:
Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Living by faith shows the manifestation of who is a true child of God!
Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creatution waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Because the Just shall live by faith!
