Blind Bartimaeus. Doubting Thomas. Matthew the tax collector. Names we have flippantly assigned men and women of God. The problem is their names have a way of defining them. These names negate the powerful transformation that occurred when they encountered Jesus. Bartimaeus left seeing. Thomas left Believing and Matthew left discipling.

Are you allowing your pre-Jesus name to define the post-Jesus you?

Thomas doubted the resurrection. He wanted to see the holes in his hands and side. How many times have we doubted a Word God has spoken to us? But just as He did for Thomas, God will meet us where we are. He appeared to Thomas and revealed Himself. His words to Thomas were not condemning but a commission. “Blessed are those who believe without seeing”. This statement commissioned now “Believing Thomas” to go and preach the gospel to those who would believe without seeing in all of present day India. Doubting Thomas was locked in a house with friends in fear. Believing Thomas went and changed the world.

Like Bartimaeus, we were blind but now we see.
Like Thomas we were doubters but are now believers.
Like Matthew, we were sinners but are now righteous.

Which you are you agreeing with today? Hint: the post-Jesus you can change the world.

“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!””
‭‭John‬ ‭20:25, 27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/jhn.20.25,27-28.niv