But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7, 8for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
What I was unsuccessful doing last night, I wanted to try to do again this morning - namely to draw a distinction between the doubt spoken of in James and the inquiries which motivate our faith and life.
All of this came back to me this morning, as I read the appointed Gospel lesson. In Luke 7, John sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the One to come, or if they should look for another. Jesus does not tell them what to think, or what to believe, or what to confess, he tells them to report to John what they see. And what he expects them to report having seen is the lame walking, the deaf hearing, and the poor having good news preached to them.
The earliest Christians were referred to as members of "The Way." Being a Christian was not a question of knowing the right things or making a particular confession or having invited Jesus into one's heart. Being a Christian meant being on the path that Jesus took, it meant following in the way where Jesus had gone.
That way was filled with times of wondering where all this was leading. Remember that on the night of his arrest, Jesus wondered if this was the only way. Peter certainly reveals a disciple unsure and questioning the very way which he was attempting to follow.
I don't know the dimensions of heaven nor do I know the particulars of how I will exchange this mortal body for the immortal one of Resurrection What I do know, and find it difficult to doubt, is that those who are part of this way have among them a caring and loving nature. I know and never doubt that I have the expressed, written and confessed permission of my Lord to call my fellow travelers into accountability and that they have the same with regard to me. I know that I am cared for, not because of what I can do or what I can accomplish, or because of what I might offer, but because of who I am. Among The Way, I find a life that is the life I desire.
I am fond of the saying, "Doubt is the ants in the pants of faith." Doubt is that which allows to move more deeply into our knowledge of God and our wisdom with regard to God's Word. James' talk of doubt says more to me about questioning God intentions toward us. It is helpful to remember verse 5, the one before those quoted above: 5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
I do not know many things, and have doubts about them. But I will not doubt is that God is generous and forever attempting to give me what I need, and often even what I want. This generosity is revealed in the beauty of the earth and in the abundance of grace.
Maybe I am no further ahead than I was last night. But I am grateful for the opportunity to try. And I look forward to further conversations with you about seeking the wisdom of God.
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