Sermon On Belief Or Doubt

Norman Vincent Peale, an American author once remarked: “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” John 14:12-14 reminds us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Belief is defined as an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. It includes a primary essence of faith, trust, reliance and credence to name but a few of the many possibilities. Self-efficacy motivates progress. It is the driving force between positive forward movement or remaining static. Its individualistic phenomenon creates a strong foothold on the pathway of life. It provides encouragement and an optimism of the unknown.

Everyone needs belief, Christianity is based on belief with the Bible at its core. If belief does not exist in the heart or soul of man, then neither does God. God is a deity accepted by many religions as the creator of life and the universe. He is considered by most as the provider, guider and supreme being of all life and the true Father of man. A non-existence or lack of belief in God is regarded as atheism which may be viewed in two differing principles: psychological or philosophical. The first relates to a state of lacking the belief that God exists or secondly, the proposition that God does not exist. John 1:1-5 reminds us: ”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

A proposition, although in itself, not deemed as a hypothetical theory, can be used to formulate a hypothesis, which can be part of a theory. Despite its conjecture, it has no sound structure or foundation stone to either prove or disprove its assertion. It is merely a starting point for further discussion. Some doubters may equally state that there is no concrete evidence, other than biblical notations to confirm the existence of God, but what is a proposition if that is not the same? The power of man’s mind includes the faculty of discernment. Discernment includes the wisdom to listen and assess in an entirety rather than on a singular basis.

Conversely, doubt is considered a natural feature of life. It may include a temporary feeling of uncertainty or even a lack of conviction. However, it is nothing to be ashamed of and will never truly upset God. He knows only too well that doubt is merely an element of caution. It allows one to take a step back from the realities of life which may overwhelm, and reflect on all viable possibilities. Several loyal servants of Christ had doubts over various issues, the most notable probably being Thomas after the resurrection. But others also followed suit including John the Baptist. Luke 7:18-23 reminds us: “The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’”

In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

The freedom and blessings of God allow mankind to choose or judge for itself the prospect or real truth about His existence. The important decision made by individuals, formats the positive progress or restrictions of life. Life without God impedes His love and diminishes the opportunity for a fruitful or abundant living. Without God, we are as sheep without a shepherd, or an everlasting night without day. The correct moral guidance is forever lacking, the fruits of the bountiful harvest may never be found and we may suffer from the starvation of life.