Matthew 28:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

The eleven were told where to show up. They showed up for Jesus and that wasn’t enough.

The eleven saw Jesus and worshipped Him and that was not enough.

Some doubted but it does not say how many or what they doubted. That is not enough.

To search the scriptures for relevant meaning, to read the Word of God and to know this passage is speaking to me, means that doubt has to be removed. Disciples show up to hear our pastors preach the Word every Sunday. Disciples show up every Sunday and worship God. But it is not enough.

I have heard many say with all sincerity that the miracles of the Apostles are over. They say with sincere conviction that God’s will cannot be frustrated and there is nothing they can or cannot do to alter God’s sovereignty over His people. Sincerity isn’t enough.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

A believer’s doubt is not about who Christ is or the power of the Holy Spirit, or the will of God, but in ourselves. We are unworthy. That fact has been well established, it has also been well established that our unworthiness doesn’t stop God from being God.

How will you ever know what your faith will do if you don’t obey it? The revelation of the mystery of Christ in you is made know by obeying faith.

Faith obeyed removes doubt.

2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Do you have a problem with always? Yes, me too. When I see the term always in scriptures I feel that sting of failure. It doesn’t seem to matter how good I am doing at any particular time in my life, as it pertains to walking by faith, always seems to apply to someone else. Always is difficult.

If I could pick one always to try and succeed at, perhaps this one would be a good one to hold true to in my life. His dying is where my sins were carried away. Now bearing in my body the knowledge or awareness of what Christ did for me that day would help me resist temptation. The awareness might help me bridle my tongue. The awareness might allow me to be more gracious to others who need more mercy than judgment. The awareness might remind me that I cannot do any of all that is asked of me without the fact that for this cause He died.

This manifest life of Christ cannot be seen if I am always putting myself forward. John the Baptist said it best when he declared that he had to recede so that Christ would be increased. I cannot do that if I am always thinking about myself. Always is easy when it comes to self.

Even as I write these words I think, “What am I trying to say?” It is so easy to slip right out of the always Jesus moment and back into self. He knows that. That’s another reason He died for us, forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Paul didn’t say always here but might just as well have by using the word every.

It is good that Jesus sent us a Helper.