Doubts and faith in Guanzhou

In October 2024 I was privileged to speak to the Guangzhou Christian International Fellowship and I heard something surprising from one of my listeners. A downside, of course, to being a guest speaker is not being around to hear much in the way of results from the speaking. That's why I was so delighted to get this story from my son who attends the church in Guangzhou. 

One of the members of the congregation, a government official, recently told my son he was sitting there the day I spoke about the 5 Types of Evidence for Jesus and the Bible and was listening with a heavy heart. Although raised in a Christian family in Europe and a follower of Jesus for many years, he was full of doubts and worries about whether Jesus was really, really real. Doesn’t this happen to all of us from time to time?

What he told my son was, "I was most encouraged by the story of John the Baptist's disciples coming to ask Jesus, 'Is it really you?' Even John had his doubts. 

"And Jesus' answer to them in the Bible shot straight into my heart that day. He said, 'Look around you. What do you see? What has already happened that you can use as evidence?' (Luke 7:18-28)

"And wow. My eyes were opened and I just started crying. I realized my wife, my children, all the things God has done in my life. And I had no more doubts. They all just dropped immediately. What a blessing. Please tell your father this story for me." 

Isn't it great! None of the 5 categories of evidence were what made an impact on him. None of the rational arguments from creation, philosophy, or even art. What he most needed to hear was: 

• You are not alone. We all have doubts. 

• You are not without evidence. Look at what is already available to you and see if it answers some of your questions.

And once again, the very words of Jesus speak most powerfully of all.