Proving Things

Richard Thetford

Have we ever stopped to realize that from the time we awake in the morning until the time we fall asleep at night that we are proving things. As we walk through life we are proving who we are in various ways. Paul told the Thessalonian brethren to "Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thes 5:21-22). As Christians we can readily see that we have a grave responsibility to God to ensure that we prove to others that we live by His commandments. Sit down sometime and make a list of things you do during the course of a day. On one side label it "proving things for Jesus" and on the other side label it "proving things for man". Now list everything you do that day in the respective category and then see if your life is one that is proving you're godly or humanistic.

It Begins With Our Heart

There are many aspects of our life that need to be proven. It all starts with our heart doesn't it? We read again "but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts" (1 Thes 2:4). We learn from this scripture that we are not to speak in such a manner that is pleasing to man but to God because God knows our hearts. He knows where we are putting our emphasis in life. Everyday we are faced with new situations that tests our faith. We prove ourselves to be godly when we can overcome these tests and show God that we are loyal to Him. James says "knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (Jam 1:3). We also need to prove we are Christians by our work.

Proving By Our Work

Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. We can see that all of our work here on this earth will be revealed with fire. Our work will become evident. Paul explains that gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, and things such as this (earthly things) will be destroyed. But what is it that will not be destroyed? Our spiritual works. Nobody or anything can take away our spiritual treasures. When the fire comes, the one who has put their treasures in heaven will be saved. We need to constantly test ourselves. Paul told the Corinthians "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Cor 13:5). We must examine ourselves everyday of our lives! We must prove to ourselves that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus and no other.

Why and How to Prove Things?

But why are we to prove things? We go back to our opening text in 1 Thes 5:21. We are to examine everything - why? To find the good. Christians should earnestly seek only what is right in the sight of God, not what might be pleasing to man or self. We need to prove things so we do not become reprobate (2 Cor 13:5), and deceived (1 John 4:1-6). However we are never going to know how to prove things and we'll never really know if we are doing what is pleasing in the sight of God if we do not go to the source to find out how we are to prove things. What is the source? The Gospel! It is by the gospel that we can know whether we are doing things in accordance with the spirit of truth or the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). We cannot expect to live a life proving ourselves as Christians if we adopt our manner of walk (morals) based on human standards that are all around us. "For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding". (2 Cor 10:12).

Questions to Ponder

From time to time we need to take a good hard look at ourselves and ask some questions. Am I proving that I am a CHRISTIAN by my walk in life? Can others see beyond a doubt that I am a Christian by the way I act, the way I talk, and the way I dress? Remember, the world doesn't care what we are - but we have something to prove to God.