Seeing And Believing!

Some have made the claim that “seeing is believing” while others might say that “believing is seeing.” However, it is possible to see and believe only what one wants to believe as well as possible to believe and see only what one wants to see. So how do we get seeing and believing together in a way that is beneficial?

Reading in Acts chapter four this morning, I was once again struck by the contrast between those who witnessed undeniable EVIDENCE yet did not come to the same conclusions. In Acts three Peter and John had healed a lame man (forty years old according to Acts 4:22) who continued to hang around them. It was an impressive miracle, but so was the message Peter and John had the opportunity to preach regarding the power of Christ. Many who acknowledged the healing of the lame man also believed the message with a response of about five thousand. ( Acts 4:4) This response was disconcerting to many of the Jewish leaders.

Consider the contrast in the following verses.
“(13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (14) BUT SEEING THE MAN WHO WAS HEALED STANDING BESIDE THEM, THEY HAD NOTHING TO SAY IN OPPOSITION. (15) But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, (16) saying, ‘What shall we do with these men? For THAT A NOTABLE SIGN HAS BEEN PERFORMED THROUGH THEM IS EVIDENT to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, AND WE CANNOT DENY IT. (17) But in order THAT IT MAY SPREAD NO FURTHER among the people, LET US WARN THEM TO SPEAK NO MORE TO ANYONE IN THIS NAME.’ (18) So they called them and CHARGED THEM NOT TO SPEAK OR TEACH at all in the name of Jesus. (19) But PETER AND JOHN ANSWERED them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, (20) for WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD.’” ( Acts 4:13-20 ESV)

The Jewish leaders saw the EVIDENCE and could not deny the miracle, but refused to believe it was done by the power and in the Name of Jesus and therefore wanted Peter and John to hush up. Peter and John, on the other hand, could not be shut up because in their viewing of the EVIDENCE they could not help but speak of what they had both seen and heard.

Are we duly convicted by the EVIDENCE of what we have seen and heard? The key to seeing and believing or the believing and seeing is the openness of the eyes and the heart to the EVIDENCE that is there. There is much we accept by faith, but it is not totally a blind faith. God has preserved EVIDENCE suitable for the supporting of our faith. There is substance on which our faith can rest.

The Hebrew writer stated…
“Now faith is the assurance [substance, nature, essence, or literally a standing under or support] of things hoped for, the conviction [proof or evidence] of things not seen.” ( Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

May we be sufficiently convicted by the EVIDENCE regarding the truth of Christ and the hope that is ours in Him. If we are truly open to the truth the truth will be seen.

Have a great day KEEPING EYES, EARS, AND HEART OPEN TO THE EVIDENCE!
Carl

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