Faith and Doubt and the Gift of a New Name

When Pastor Cory stepped up this Sunday to preach on Thomas, the so-called “Doubter,” he invited us to see more than just a man with questions. Through John 20:24-31 — and shaped by United Methodist theology — we witnessed a story of how Jesus meets us exactly where we are: doubts, wounds, and all.
This is a story of faith and doubt, and how God holds both together.

The Labels We Carry

Pastor Cory started with a story about nicknames. Most of us have been called something that stuck — a label we didn’t ask for, but still carried. Thomas, forever known as “Doubting Thomas,” carries a label too. But as Pastor Cory reminded us, the Gospel refuses to let one moment define a person.

Just like Thomas, we often find ourselves boxed in by labels. Maybe it’s something someone said about us years ago. Maybe it’s a mistake we made. But God’s story for us is always bigger than the names the world gives.

Thomas and the Journey of Faith and Doubt

Thomas is often remembered for his doubt, but his story is richer than that. All the disciples doubted at first — Thomas was just honest enough to say it out loud. He wanted what they had: to see Jesus with his own eyes.

In the United Methodist tradition, we believe that faith is a journey, not a single moment. Doubt is not the enemy of faith; it’s part of the walk. Thomas wasn’t shamed by Jesus. Instead, Jesus invited him closer — to touch, to see, to believe. That’s grace at work: meeting us where we are and leading us deeper.

Jesus says to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (John 20:29, NRSV). This moment shows us that faith and doubt are not opposites. They live together. And Jesus welcomes both.

The Power of Peace

One of the most beautiful parts of this story is how Jesus greets Thomas. Not with anger. Not with disappointment. With peace.

“Peace be with you.”

Pastor Cory helped us see that Jesus’ first response to Thomas is peace, not punishment. In that moment, Thomas moves from doubt to the clearest confession of faith in the whole Gospel: “My Lord and my God!”

In the United Methodist tradition, we call this prevenient grace — God’s grace that comes before we even know we need it. It’s the kind of grace that meets our faith and doubt alike.

Finding a New Identity

Pastor Cory’s message called us to let go of the old names we carry — “Doubter,” “Failure,” “Not Good Enough” — and hold onto the name Christ gives: beloved child of God.

Faith and doubt both have a place in the life of a disciple. Doubt doesn’t cancel faith. It can actually deepen it. As John Wesley experienced seasons of deep uncertainty before his heart was “strangely warmed,” so we, too, may find that God works in our questions just as powerfully as in our confidence.

Through God’s sanctifying grace, we are made new — not defined by our worst days but shaped into the likeness of Christ.

Faith and Doubt in Our Community

At Noel United Methodist Church, we want to be the kind of community where faith and doubt are both welcome. Doubt doesn’t scare Jesus, and it shouldn’t scare us either.
When someone says, “I need to see it for myself,” we don’t shame them. We stand beside them. We pray with them. We invite them to keep walking.

Like Thomas, we are called to be honest about our questions and open to Christ’s peace.
Faith and doubt can live side-by-side, as two parts of one honest heart.

As we go into this week, may we have the courage to bring both our belief and our questions to God. And may we, like Thomas, proclaim with full hearts:

“My Lord and my God!”