Articles
Prove It
Christians must always prove what is acceptable to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10). That isn’t difficult since the Lord gave us His word for a standard.
1. You can prove what you have been taught by comparing it with God’s word. “Test (prove) all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
2. You can prove whether you are in the faith by examining yourself as compared to the gospel, which is “the faith once-for-all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:15).
3. You can prove that God is a more liberal giver than you are by practicing liberal giving and observing the results. “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully . . . And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
4. You can prove that your love is genuine by following imitating the good example of loving brethren. “I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others . . . Therefore show them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf” (2 Corinthians 8:8, 24).
5. You can prove that God’s way is best by being transformed instead of conformed to the world. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 10:2). --Jack Wilhelm
