Main Thought
Doubts are inevitable in a world that’s been damaged by sin. Sometimes, we might even doubt that we’ve been saved and changed by Jesus, or that we’ll spend eternity with God. What do we do in the face of such scary doubts? The answer has less to do with us and more to do with Christ. Jesus has the ability to give us life, because He’s the Source of Life! Christians have witnessed and experienced what it means to find life in Jesus. The life we find in Him now is a sign of eternal life to come. Through His resurrection, Jesus also proved that He is God’s Son and has authority to judge. These things lead us to acknowledge Christ - to believe in Him and behave like Him - more and more over time. As our acknowledgement of Christ grows, our assurance in Christ grows too. We become more confident of our salvation as we walk with Him. Eventually, this confidence becomes bigger and more resilient than our doubts. We can live without fearing death or judgement because of Jesus.
Main Passages
5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
- John 5:8-9
20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
- John 5:20-24
Discussion Questions
Have you ever doubted that you’ve been saved by Jesus, or that you’ll spend eternity with God? If so, did something trigger your doubt?
Has your assurance (or confidence) in God grown over time? If it did, what contributed to that growth?
How can you acknowledge (or honor) Jesus a little more in this season of your life? (Helpful hints: maybe you can grow in your belief through experience or study. Perhaps you can alter some behavior to become more like Jesus.)