Articles on Faith
When Not Seeing is Believing
John Buttrey II
"Seeing is believing." We have heard this expression for years. Perhaps we have personally said it hundreds of times. Even more, without really thinking about it, maybe we have actually even believed it. The problem is, it is not an absolute truth. Seeing does not always lead to believing.
In the New Testament, there are countless examples of people seeing Jesus perform miracles. Yet, not all who saw the miracles He performed came to believe in Him. As Jesus hanged on the cross between two condemned men, only one saw and came to believe.
In the book of Acts, we have the account of Peter and John healing the lame man (Acts 3). As the council considered what to do with the apostles for their (as they saw it) "offense", we have this admission from them:
But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it (Acts 4:15-16).
Other similar examples could be offered. Scripture is clear, seeing does not always lead to believing.
While there are certainly examples in God's word that would show seeing resulting in believing, the Bible tells us the greater blessing comes to those who have not seen, and yet still have come to believe.
The apostle Thomas was one who seemed to live by the motto "Seeing is Believing." When the other apostles told him they had seen Jesus alive after His death on the cross, Thomas said, “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). Thomas got his chance to see and believe. Here is how the apostle John recorded the event:
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “ Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:26-29).
Pay close attention to the words of Jesus, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." Seeing is not required to believe in Jesus. Not seeing, and yet still believing, is known as faith. Paul said it well:
For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 Emphasis Mine).
The Hebrew writer made it even clearer:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 Emphasis Mine).
How ironic! Despite the long-held belief that seeing is believing, the greater truth and blessing comes to those who have not seen, but still believe.
In the New Testament, there are countless examples of people seeing Jesus perform miracles. Yet, not all who saw the miracles He performed came to believe in Him. As Jesus hanged on the cross between two condemned men, only one saw and came to believe.
In the book of Acts, we have the account of Peter and John healing the lame man (Acts 3). As the council considered what to do with the apostles for their (as they saw it) "offense", we have this admission from them:
But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it (Acts 4:15-16).
Other similar examples could be offered. Scripture is clear, seeing does not always lead to believing.
While there are certainly examples in God's word that would show seeing resulting in believing, the Bible tells us the greater blessing comes to those who have not seen, and yet still have come to believe.
The apostle Thomas was one who seemed to live by the motto "Seeing is Believing." When the other apostles told him they had seen Jesus alive after His death on the cross, Thomas said, “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). Thomas got his chance to see and believe. Here is how the apostle John recorded the event:
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “ Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:26-29).
Pay close attention to the words of Jesus, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." Seeing is not required to believe in Jesus. Not seeing, and yet still believing, is known as faith. Paul said it well:
For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 Emphasis Mine).
The Hebrew writer made it even clearer:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 Emphasis Mine).
How ironic! Despite the long-held belief that seeing is believing, the greater truth and blessing comes to those who have not seen, but still believe.