True Story - Letter to the Editor
Today’s newsletter article is actually a letter to the editor of the Odessa American which was written in the 1970’s. This letter was written in response to a man who was shamed in church as a young boy for expressing his doubts.
I trust you will find some truth in what was shared and some wisdom for our day and for this New Year!
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This letter is in response to a letter that David Newman wrote on November the 8th in the Odessa American titled, “When Doubts Rage.”
And so it is that so many would be Christians have walked away from the church from the likes of the Sunday school teacher Newman described in his letter.
Lives forever changed or sent off in some spasmodic direction because some people took it upon themselves to be “holier than thou” and above reproach.
I'm sorry for the pain Newman must have felt as a youngster, seeking answers and to have been thrust into the presence of such a person.
For someone like that to even claim he knows God only reinforces the scriptures God gives us about false prophets and teachers.
Robert Browning wrote, “I show you doubt to prove that faith exists.”
Stanislaw Leszczynski wrote, “To believe with certainty must begin with doubt.”
Irresolution is to waver or hesitate and perhaps a hesitation and quest for answers has been the one thing that has and will make faith stronger.
The fact that Newman is still seeking to understand says that we are all human and God loves us and our humanness. He sees us and loves us just like we are in our sin at this moment in time - doubts and all.
Jesus never rebuked His disciple Thomas for doubting. Instead, Jesus offered Thomas the evidence of truth, which were the holes in his hands and the wound in his side.
Thomas became the first disciple to put into words the truth that Jesus is both Lord and God. He utters the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible and Jesus tells him, “Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” John 20:27-29.
Until his death, Thomas was an outspoken advocate for the Lord. A man who so adamantly proclaimed his disbelief carried God’s message to the ends of the earth. Another example is the father of the child and Matthew who said with tears, “I believe help my disbelief.”
The Sunday school teacher who Newman refers to as one of many who would offer a very poor example of who Christ is. At a time when Newman needed love, reinforcement, support, compassion and guidance, he was condemned and reprimanded for his stupidity and insolence and left to his own devices as to where to go or how to understand.
All it would have taken would have been loving hug and assurance that, of course, it's OK and normal to doubt the things we cannot see or understand and the assurance that in time things would be made clear.
The kid needs reassurance that he did not count for something, and the huge magnitude of the universe was shot down without a second glance. And we wonder why horrible things are done in the name of religion.
Thank God, it isn't about religion!
I know personally, the further I go in my walk with Christ the less I know or understand. However, doubt strengthens my faith, my perseverance and my commitment to know more about what Jesus told Thomas when he said, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
To love God like he loves me motivates me to examine and reexamine my doubts, my fears, my failures and my sins and thank him each day that he hasn't given up on me and won't ever. I count for something and it is who I am becoming in Christ that makes it worthwhile.
It is the same for Newman. God makes that promise to anyone who would seek him out.
Some of us are perfect - just ask them - including Newman's teacher.
Unfortunately, I’m not one period I get frustrated, angry, sad, and I do doubt when I see sickness and disease and war and all those things that would destroy us.
However, there is one great mystery to life and God revealed that mystery to all of us. The one great truth is, God in us! Once we accept Him as our Savior.
+++
As we enter this new year may you be blessed with the knowledge that God accepts you, doubts and all. He loves you and nothing can change His mind or His heart. May all those you love be wrapped in the arms of Jesus and may we enter this new year knowing God is going to use us all in mighty ways.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Russ
I trust you will find some truth in what was shared and some wisdom for our day and for this New Year!
+++
This letter is in response to a letter that David Newman wrote on November the 8th in the Odessa American titled, “When Doubts Rage.”
And so it is that so many would be Christians have walked away from the church from the likes of the Sunday school teacher Newman described in his letter.
Lives forever changed or sent off in some spasmodic direction because some people took it upon themselves to be “holier than thou” and above reproach.
I'm sorry for the pain Newman must have felt as a youngster, seeking answers and to have been thrust into the presence of such a person.
For someone like that to even claim he knows God only reinforces the scriptures God gives us about false prophets and teachers.
Robert Browning wrote, “I show you doubt to prove that faith exists.”
Stanislaw Leszczynski wrote, “To believe with certainty must begin with doubt.”
Irresolution is to waver or hesitate and perhaps a hesitation and quest for answers has been the one thing that has and will make faith stronger.
The fact that Newman is still seeking to understand says that we are all human and God loves us and our humanness. He sees us and loves us just like we are in our sin at this moment in time - doubts and all.
Jesus never rebuked His disciple Thomas for doubting. Instead, Jesus offered Thomas the evidence of truth, which were the holes in his hands and the wound in his side.
Thomas became the first disciple to put into words the truth that Jesus is both Lord and God. He utters the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible and Jesus tells him, “Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” John 20:27-29.
Until his death, Thomas was an outspoken advocate for the Lord. A man who so adamantly proclaimed his disbelief carried God’s message to the ends of the earth. Another example is the father of the child and Matthew who said with tears, “I believe help my disbelief.”
The Sunday school teacher who Newman refers to as one of many who would offer a very poor example of who Christ is. At a time when Newman needed love, reinforcement, support, compassion and guidance, he was condemned and reprimanded for his stupidity and insolence and left to his own devices as to where to go or how to understand.
All it would have taken would have been loving hug and assurance that, of course, it's OK and normal to doubt the things we cannot see or understand and the assurance that in time things would be made clear.
The kid needs reassurance that he did not count for something, and the huge magnitude of the universe was shot down without a second glance. And we wonder why horrible things are done in the name of religion.
Thank God, it isn't about religion!
I know personally, the further I go in my walk with Christ the less I know or understand. However, doubt strengthens my faith, my perseverance and my commitment to know more about what Jesus told Thomas when he said, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
To love God like he loves me motivates me to examine and reexamine my doubts, my fears, my failures and my sins and thank him each day that he hasn't given up on me and won't ever. I count for something and it is who I am becoming in Christ that makes it worthwhile.
It is the same for Newman. God makes that promise to anyone who would seek him out.
Some of us are perfect - just ask them - including Newman's teacher.
Unfortunately, I’m not one period I get frustrated, angry, sad, and I do doubt when I see sickness and disease and war and all those things that would destroy us.
However, there is one great mystery to life and God revealed that mystery to all of us. The one great truth is, God in us! Once we accept Him as our Savior.
+++
As we enter this new year may you be blessed with the knowledge that God accepts you, doubts and all. He loves you and nothing can change His mind or His heart. May all those you love be wrapped in the arms of Jesus and may we enter this new year knowing God is going to use us all in mighty ways.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Russ
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2 Comments
Great message. "Let go let God"
nIt's amazing how letting God in your life can change you. Thank you PastorRuss for all that you do.
Very encouraging story it is always in my mind. I’m trying hard to let it go. Thank you Pastor Russ for being in such a good pastor..