Prove It

In the “Bible Belt” of the south everyone claims to be a Christian on their way to Heaven. At the same time many live a life that is as worldly as Hollywood. The Word of God tells us to live a life of sacrifice yet the people remain extremely selfish. Of course the favorite religious saying is “once saved always saved.” They feel that baptism justifies their self-centered way of living. However genuine Christians are only interested in living a righteous life. All the Scripture has been given to direct us in the approved path. 

When Jesus called Paul on the road to Damascus he said “I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes… “. Of course we know that Paul had an amazing Christian life. Toward the end of his life Paul testified that he had preached to the Gentiles for years. He wanted everyone to know: … that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. Acts 26:20 (NLT). His experience had shown him that after people were born-again they had to prove it by their deeds. 

Our society continually tells people to live any way they desire. The only rule is not to hurt other people. This is an extremely selfish way to live. Salvation is turning our way of living around to live the way Jesus taught us while on earth. Many people are claiming to have accepted Jesus into their heart because they want the great reward of Heaven. Simply claiming to be saved will not work because our life is used to judge each of us. We must sincerely know and serve God because he is aware of our every thought. 

Today many Christians believe one verse is all they need to gain Heaven. It says: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8. They claim we can do nothing to gain salvation so this logically means that we should do nothing to live a righteous life. But the scripture continues: He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10. This passage clearly says God wants us to be godly. 

We are to be known as the “set apart” people. Even this name says we cannot live like the world around us. We are required to live a completely different type of life from the normal. The Bible says: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2. Everyone can understand what God is saying here. It is rebellion not to accept God’s words. 

Proving our salvation is a requirement and there are not many days left before all the born-again people will be taken away. Folks need to ask God for a totally different life right now. The Scripture warns us: Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. Matthew 25:11-13 (NLT). Satan has distracted people today and we must alert them now.

Witness for God

Each and every person that becomes saved has a purpose on this earth. Any believer, from the greatest to the least, is required to be a witness for God regardless of any other individual calling.  One Scripture tells us: The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. Acts 4:33 (NLT). The “great” blessing of God will last forever and is something that only a born-again person can understand. The only way to engage with this “great” blessing is to testify powerfully about Jesus. 

Back in the 1950’s a believer was taught to live a good life but to keep quiet about Jesus. Where ever this idea came from it is not biblical. When Jesus arose from the dead he appeared to some people and gave them an important instruction. Peter said: …he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God… Acts 10:42 (NLT). Believers that are not witnessing for God must not be impressed with Jesus. After people really know Jesus they cannot live with the knowledge that they are disobeying his orders. 

There is a long-range reason for the orders we have to testify about Jesus. God wants the general call of repentance from sin to be given in the entire world. Before our Savior left this earth he said: The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14. On Judgment Day our Lord will remind sinful people that every nation in the world has received the Gospel message from his servants. Of course many people refuse to believe our witness. 

In fact Christians are being intimidated by the world today. People are not only refusing to believe but they want to beat our belief in Jesus out of us. The Bible says we are not to worry about this intimidation: But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Luke 21:13-15. Everything in a believer’s life is completed if we simply have faith. 

Being a witness for God about his son Jesus, is not complicated work. It is more about our humble attitude of faith than our wisdom. Paul said: I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. … I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:19-21. The message of repentance and faith are not difficult to proclaim. Of course their reaction to this simple message can be terrible at times.

Applying our faith is what our life is all about. All the issues in life can be resolved by the faith we have in Jesus Christ. Our life finds its real value when we tell others about God with a love that the world does not value. Paul believed this completely: My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24. There are times when a spiritual desperation comes on a worldly person and they must find a living witness of God.