Today at 06:51 AM Freodin said this in Post #23
And now does that mean that Thomas was not blessed? That he was less blessed than the others? That Jesus knew from the start that Thomas would not bet blessed, but used him to be able to make this clever line?
No that does not mean that Thomas was any more, or any less blessed than others. Thomas saw and believed, along with many others. I find no reason to assume they were not blessed. Jesus was saying that those of us who believe without seeing would be blessed, but in no way does that mean those who saw weren't blessed.
As you can see here it was what the other disciples told Thomas that he was doubting.
John 20:24-25
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.
And look what happened after. You can see that Jesus knew just what Thomas had said.
John 20:26-28
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 said, Peace be unto you.
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. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Thomas knew it was him just by the words Jesus spoke to him.
John 20:
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
No, thanks, I rather sacrifice some blessing for a little evidence.
The evidence you seek is in the blessings we recieve.
Why do you assume I never called him? Oh, I know: you must assume that. So let me assure you: I did, and never recieved any answer.
Yes I did assume that, since it's hard to call on Him if you don't believe. But since you say you have called on Him before this tells me there must be part of you that does believe. I think sometimes we make the mistake of looking for a specific answer, instead of seeing the answer God gives us.
And now, before you state that I may have done it wrong. Yes, that may be.
But I don´t know how to do it "right" - and until know no-one could tell me.
I wont say you did anything wrong. But I will say the prayer must come from the heart, we must want to get to know him in a personal way. I tried for years to follow Jesus by what others told me I needed to do. But I never had that personal relationship with him until I sought him out myself through His Word, with prayer, and seeking forgiveness, and understanding.
Now it is correct - but not completly true. It is almost impossible to "convert" or influence an happy Atheist towards Christianity: everything I can see you have, I have as well - but the opposite is very well possible.
The things God does for me can't be seen with the eye. But they can certainly be felt with the heart, and the peace. love, and comfort He brings me goes far beyond what any words can ever describe.
I have to disagree on the Written letter being dead, I find to be very much alive myself. And following Jesus is all about having a personal relationship with Him. But in order to experience that personal relationship with Him you must call out to him and seek it first.
