"Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power.”
(Hebrews 12:2)
God's power in the christian's life is revealed in different ways, clearly seen. However, one of the most difficult types of disbelief is the type of unbelief that refuses to accept the truth. One of the evidences of disbelief in the power of God is the preference for lies. He wants, at all costs, to cover up the truth of God, showing a complete lack of christian maturity. As long as your gaze is fixed on incredulity, the lies taking shape, it is an evident sign that you have not grown enough, you are still believing in views. As long as you are focused on sights, instead of focusing on the cross of Christ, the power of God, you are failing to grow in sanctification. To combat this type of unbelief, first of all, it is advisable not to follow the same example as Thomas, a disciple who first wanted to see the marks of the nails on his hands, and then believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, named Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, If I do not see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and if I do not put my hand into his side, I will never have belief. "
(John 20:24-25)
In the Old Testament, one of God's names is "Lord of Armies", expressing omnipotence, the power of God. In the New Testament, it was only after Jesus was resurrected that Jesus took upon himself the attribute of God's omnipotence.
“But let the Lord of armies be holy to you, and go in fear of him, giving honour to him. ”
(Isaiah 8:13)
"And Jesus came to them and said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth."
(Matthew 28:18)
It is true that Jesus is the revelation of the power of God, and everything in the Gospel revolves around the name of Jesus. Aware of this: "But let the Jesus be holy to you, and go in fear of him, giving honour to him. ” On sanctification the apostle Paul exhorts the Church.
Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.”
(2 Corinthians 7:1)
To experience the power of God, one must focus on the truth and progressively grow in sanctification. See what the author of the letter to the Hebrews says about trials.
“For this reason, as we are circled by so great a cloud of witnesses, putting off every weight, and the sin into which we come so readily, let us keep on running in the way which is marked out for us, Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power. ”
(Hebrews 12: 1-2)
Finally, I would say that the Gospel of Jesus is not a test of São Tomé: Seeing is believing. Jesus' Gospel is Believing to See.
“Jesus said to him, Because you have seen me you have belief: a blessing will be on those who have belief though they have not seen me!”
(John 20:29)
So keep looking at Jesus.
We are the righteousness of God, in Christ.
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Manoel Lúcio da Silva Neto is master in Production Engineering (Media and Knowledge), and author of the book Christology at your Reach.