Picture this, you are listening to your friend tell this amazing story of what they just did during their vacation. For some it may be about the “giant” fish they caught or the cliff they climbed and jumped off of, no matter the story it's like it's too big to be true. I think it is safe to say at some point or another we have heard a story of something that just seemed to be “ehhhh...not believable”, until we drop the line of “show me proof, or pics, or it didn't happen.” Bottom line we need proof or evidence it was real, but that doesn't go just for worldly things... We see in John 20:24-29, Thomas, one of the 12, needing proof. Someone who followed Jesus around doubted what he was hearing. If someone who walked and talked with Jesus needed proof in his life, it is understandable for us to stop and need evidence from time to time. In Thomas’ case Jesus says:
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
For us, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers, and with that comes the Fruit of the Spirit. We read in today's verse that the fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With these “fruits” we can find the evidence of God working in someone's life, including our own. But let us be confident in God’s plan for our lives, what we deem to be successful may be totally different from what God knows we need. Let us not find ourselves doubting every little thing that comes our way, rather, find the evidence we have in ourselves. There will be days ahead when we need that proof just as Thomas did, thankfully, we have the ultimate evidence living within us.
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
For us, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers, and with that comes the Fruit of the Spirit. We read in today's verse that the fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With these “fruits” we can find the evidence of God working in someone's life, including our own. But let us be confident in God’s plan for our lives, what we deem to be successful may be totally different from what God knows we need. Let us not find ourselves doubting every little thing that comes our way, rather, find the evidence we have in ourselves. There will be days ahead when we need that proof just as Thomas did, thankfully, we have the ultimate evidence living within us.