Faith

What is faith? When someone says the word to you, what thoughts and emotions are conjured up in you? Below are two dictionary definitions:

1. complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

2. strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

Personally I prefer the first one, even when it comes to my Christian faith. Somehow the second one gets me tied up in religiosity which could lead to following rules set out by men rather than following the teachings of Christ and trying to live a life of trust in Him.

Thomas (aka doubting Thomas) I feel was not a doubter but a realist. His doubt arose because of his limited knowledge and his inability to make sense of what he heard. He had sincere questions that prevented him from affirming that Christ was alive, and he wanted more information to answer these questions. However he sought to address the causes of his doubt. After all if we search our inmost self, certainly before we met Christ (if we have) and even after we have, we would have times we doubt in Him. I still do on occasions but praise God if you don’t.

As a Christian faith is a complete trust and confidence in Jesus, His teachings, His life, His death and His resurrection. And if and when we have doubts I pray you turn once again to Him and ask for His Spirit to see you through the doubt and that we don’t get tied up in religiosity.