The catch phrase, "Seeing is believing," is often heard when referring to something magnificent or spectacular. However, it can also indicate doubts. "I'm not going to believe something unless I actually see it." This is precisely the way I feel about some things; but is this the way we approach our spiritual life?
Thomas expressed this attitude about Jesus' rising from the dead. "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). When Jesus appeared again, Thomas saw and responded, "My Lord and my God" (vs. 28). What was the problem? The fact is that Thomas would not believe credible witnesses to the resurrected Jesus. The other apostles' statement, "We have seen the Lord," just wasn't good enough. He had to see for himself.
So what's so wrong with that? Well, who today will be able to lay eyes on the resurrected Jesus? Perhaps when He comes again, but by then it will be too late. If we are going to believe, then we are going to have to trust the eyewitness, historical testimony (see Luke 1:1-4).
It's strange that some will take this approach to Jesus, but they have no problem believing that George Washington was the first U.S. President, that Columbus tried to sail around the world, or that Alexander the Great conquered the ancient world. No one today has witnessed these things. "But it is a matter of historical testimony," one might respond. Exactly. And so is the testimony regarding Jesus.
If it takes "seeing" in order to believe something, then ask yourself some questions to further illustrate the point: can I see gravity? How much does it weigh? What color is it? The response might be, "but I can see its effects." Very well. Look around. Can we not see the effects of a powerful God? Can we not see the natural testimony of a benevolent Creator? Read Romans 1:18-20 and Psalm 19:1-6.
The point is that we accept and believe many things that we do not directly witness. As far as our Lord goes, it is not necessary to directly see Him in order to believe.
Jesus told Thomas: "do not be unbelieving, but believing" (vs. 27). Then, after Thomas' response, Jesus said, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (vs. 29).
Was Jesus here asking for gullibility? Not at all. In fact, the very next couple of verses drive home the reasons as to why these records are given to us: "There are many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30-31).
So, believing is not necessarily due to seeing after all. Believing is a choice we make based upon whether or not we will accept the evidence presented to us. Really, that phrase should be turned around for the Christian: believing is seeing. Once we accept the things of God, our eyes will be opened up to riches and beauties of the heavenly blessings. After healing a blind man, Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind" (John 9:39). There were some who asked if they were blind. Jesus responded, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see,' your sin remains" (vs. 41). This strikes at attitude. If our hearts are willing to accept the will of God, then we will truly be able to see.
The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). This is the life of a child of God. It is not a blind faith, but a confident trust in the One who has granted us all things pertaining to life and godliness.
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 9/14/97.