Since the dawn of mankind, people have desired to see "proof" in order to believe anything. With God, nothing is different. Today, many still search for "evidence" of the Noah's Ark, the Holy Grail, the Cross, etc., etc. Why do men seek this "proof"? In the easiest of terms...because everyone wants that irrefutable evidence to truly believe and maybe then everyone else will too!
However, in the economy of God, it is clear that faith is the means by which we believe. The Hebrews writer states "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (emphasis mine). Interestingly, God's Holy, inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16) teaches irrefutably that we are to believe when we cannot see evidence. The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians "For by grace are you saved through faith..." (this is the same faith whereby no evidence is seen). Think about it, if you are saved, you were born again, by place full confidence in something you cannot see, touch, smell, or feel; yet you believe! Talk about supernatural!
Then, how are we to know? How can I tell if I am in HIM and HE in me? Before I answer that, let me address one issue as it pertains to "signs and wonders", more often referred to as "gift signs". The Jews "...require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified." (1 Cor. 1:22-23) The Apostle Paul deals with this exhaustively in his first letter to the church at Corinth, who desperately wanted an outward sign to reflect their new inner relationship. In 1 Cor. 12 the great Apostle expounds on the gifts for 30 verses, an then in verse 31 he says something often overlooked..." But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” The answer to what this "more excellent way" refers to what is found in the next chapter (remember, when the Bible was originally written, there were not chapter and verse breaks. This was added later for better understanding and application).
In 1 Cor. 13 the Apostle Paul outlines the supremacy of Love to the gifts as "a more excellent way". But if that weren't enough Jesus HIMSELF states unequivocally in John's Gospel, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." The key to this passage is the "By this...all men with know...” "This" refers to loving people the way Jesus has loved you and me! WOW! Can it be so simple? In fact, it is.
To know Him, is to love HIM, and to love HIM is to pursue the same love HE has for you (Phil. 2:5). In fact, to really get down to the brass tacks of "proof" of Christ in you, is found in your ability to bear fruit. The Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Galatia says "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...” The "evidence" of being a good fruit is to bear other seed-bearing fruit of the same kind. The greatest "proof" in your life that you are in Jesus and He in you, is your ability to bear like fruit! Think about this...Jesus could have instructed us to "do" anything as evidence of being in HIM. Yet, He chose love!
Do you love people? I don't mean the ones who love you? That's is simple and is so easy to do, the Bible says even the non-believers do that (Matt. 46-47). Love the unlovable...better yet, love the ones who cannot love you back! That is real proof of Jesus living in you.
Therefore, the greatest "proof", "sign", "wonder", etc., is to "love others, even as I (Jesus) has loved you". The evidence of such is found in fruit bearing...birthing, if you will, others into a personal, loving relationship with Jesus Christ! Have you led someone else to Jesus this week? Last month? Last year? Ever!? Share Jesus today and love the way He loves you!
Here's Your Sign,
Marc
No comments:
Post a Comment