What is Faith?
Thomas’ Faith vs. Abraham’s Faith
Too many Christians have a “Thomas faith” when they should have an “Abraham faith.” Thomas said, “I’ll not believe until I can see Him,” whereas “Abraham staggered not at the promise of God… but was strong in faith.”
JOHN 20:24-19
23 “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
24 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.
25 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and sia, Peace be unto you.
26 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
27 And Thomas answered an said unto him, My Lord and my God.
28 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believe: blessed are they that have not see, and yet have believed.”
Why did Thomas find it hard to believe Jesus was alive? Thomas knew of the nails that pierced Jesus’ hands and the spear that was thrust into His side. His physical senses told him Jesus was dead. Thomas was using head knowledge, rather than heart faith.
Compare now the faith of Abraham:
ROMANS 4:17-21
17 “(As it is written, I have made thee [Abraham] a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believe in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not wak in faith, he considered not his own body now dea, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Notice the difference in Thomas’ faith and Abraham’s faith. Thomas had only a natural, human faith which said, “I’m not going to believe unless I can see and feel.” Abraham, however, believed God’s Word, considering not his own body – his own natural senses.
If Abraham didn’t consider physical knowledge or feelings, what did he consider?... The Word of God!
Kenneth E. Hagin, “New Thresholds of Faith”
Thomas’ Faith vs. Abraham’s Faith
Too many Christians have a “Thomas faith” when they should have an “Abraham faith.” Thomas said, “I’ll not believe until I can see Him,” whereas “Abraham staggered not at the promise of God… but was strong in faith.”
JOHN 20:24-19
23 “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
24 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.
25 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and sia, Peace be unto you.
26 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
27 And Thomas answered an said unto him, My Lord and my God.
28 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believe: blessed are they that have not see, and yet have believed.”
Why did Thomas find it hard to believe Jesus was alive? Thomas knew of the nails that pierced Jesus’ hands and the spear that was thrust into His side. His physical senses told him Jesus was dead. Thomas was using head knowledge, rather than heart faith.
Compare now the faith of Abraham:
ROMANS 4:17-21
17 “(As it is written, I have made thee [Abraham] a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believe in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not wak in faith, he considered not his own body now dea, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Notice the difference in Thomas’ faith and Abraham’s faith. Thomas had only a natural, human faith which said, “I’m not going to believe unless I can see and feel.” Abraham, however, believed God’s Word, considering not his own body – his own natural senses.
If Abraham didn’t consider physical knowledge or feelings, what did he consider?... The Word of God!
Kenneth E. Hagin, “New Thresholds of Faith”
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