Challenged Faith

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (Matthew 3:8)

As a kid, we'd often find a friend boasting about something they had seen or reported to be able to do, so we'd challenge them with 'prove it' dares. We wanted evidence that what they said was actually to be trusted. It is not uncommon to ask for someone to prove something we find just too difficult to believe, or that we have a 'block' toward receiving, isn't it? We seek evidence in order to 'validate' the claim. Is it any wonder John the Baptist would challenge those who made claims to be 'believers' to 'prove' their faith by the way they lived? I think it is a fair thing to request - to see evidence that our life is more than just a set of rules without the substance of a changed inner character.

Prove by the way you live - that pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? If we want others to trust our statement of faith, they have a right to see the evidence of our changed inner character. Christ's presence in our lives should produce change - evidence that a relationship exists between us and Christ, not just that we perform various 'religious actions'. Too many times, we accept 'religious actions' or 'statements of faith' as evidence, but we neglect to look beyond the statements into the very character of a man. If Christ indwells us, our inner character isn't as concerned with the 'religious actions' as much as it is with doing everything to preserve our relationship with him through deep, intimate communion with him.

We sometimes miss the mark on that one, don't we? We get ourselves to church each week, have our Bible apps on the phone, listen to Christian music on the radio, and even help out at a local charity once in a while. All good 'actions', but is there evidence of a changed character? Do we do what we do because Christ's love and grace moves us to serve others, worship at his feet, learn from his word, and celebrate his presence with one another? Consider yourself challenged today - prove that the testimony of faith you speak forth is backed with a changed inner character. A character that comes from a deep, intimate, continually maintained relationship with him. Can you do it? Just askin!