Proof Positive

It’s absolutely a wonderful thing how God has set up the natural order. I remember having a discussion with my son about how everything in darkness is eventually brought to light (Luke 12:3, Mark 4:22): Even if “eventually” is a long time coming, it does come because that’s how it is. Another underlying characteristic of the natural order is that of Proof. It seems as of recent that the lines have been blurred and gray areas apply to practically everything, but God has already established and decreed that there is enough “proof” in the created order that no matter how well you craft your argument to the contrary, man is without excuse and is therefore accountable for his choices.

Taking this further, look at how many Biblical observations are made in support of the idea of proof; the fruit of the tree, proves the tree, the water of the fountain, proves its source, the words of the mouth, prove the heart, and the heart of the man, proves the man. It doesn't take the Spiritual Gift of discernment to navigate these waters: In the same way that there is obviously right and wrong, there's also a sensibility afforded to the method of testing to determine the difference.

God Himself has not only taken the first step, He even challenges us to prove Him all the more.

Here’s The Word;

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (He proved) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

You see where Christ’s death is the proof of God’s Love. Proving is fundamental. It’s a big part of what this life is all about and it’s very necessary to understand that in proving, there’s the idea of a reliable standard whereby other things are measured. It takes time and effort but when you consider the alternatives, the time spent will not be regretted. God’s promises tell us that if we seek, we will find and as we draw closer to Him (and He IS Truth), He will draw closer to us. It will be to the world’s undoing when it realizes that attempting to invalidate the standard is not a reasonable excuse for coming up with the wrong answer. The only thing that is thereby proven is its desire to disregard the standard and fulfill its unfruitful desires.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

This may all seem very obvious to you and I don’t doubt that it is. I just don’t want us to take for granted how wonderful it is that God has instituted this system of proof as well as the command to validate. Furthermore, I definitely think it does us well to consider our ways lest we be influenced by the world’s departure from its reliability into the “all gray” world of relativism and subjectivism that is obviously counter to the clear direction found in the Word of God. I can’t think of anything more discouraging to us than futility: spending something for nothing, but as I’ve lived; starting at the basic proof of God as revealed in nature and moving on to the specific, His Spirit bearing witness. His promises are yea. And although it’s often difficult, nothing about living in Him is futile – not in this life, nor the life to come. His Word is Proof positive.

In Him,
Cros