Soli Deo Gloria -- Everything is to be done only for the glory of God.
Solo Christo -- Salvation is by Christ alone.
Sola Gratia -- Salvation is by grace of God alone.
Sola Fide -- Salvation is by faith alone.
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." -- John 20:29.
All that comes to pass has already been known to God from before the foundation of the world. That is our great comfort -- that from before time God has written our names in the Book of Life and ordained that His Son die and be resurrected for our sins.
God wants us to understand. Faith brings clarity, not obscurity. When our hearts are regenerated by the grace of God our eyes are opened to His will. Thomas saw the truth firsthand and believed. But we believe by God's merciful gift of GRACE through Faith in things unseen. Christ was drawing a distinction between those who saw with their own eyes and those who would see with their hearts.
Which is more "blessed" and where does this new sight, this illuminating clarity come from?
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." -- Mark 8:21-25."And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
We ALL see men as trees walking unless and until God opens our eyes and rebirths our stone, cold heart.
So because we are not Thomas, but among those whom God has chosen to follow Him and receive His grace through faith in His Son, faith in things unseen, we believe.
That is beautiful my friend:)