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Matthew 3:8 (NLT) Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
I recently started reading a book, Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel, and above the title of the book it reads: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn't Exist. Like you, probably, it stopped me in my tracks! I had to pull it off the shelf and give in to my curiosities and find out, just what was he trying to imply! After all, I am a good ol' christian boy who absolutely loves God, so what do you mean by...Living as if He Doesn't Exist?
Well, it didn't take me long before I realized, half-way into the book, how true it really was to: Believe in God but Live as if He Doesn't Exist. (I don't want to damper or spoil your opportunity to pick up this book so I'll end it right here.)
I started reading about the life of John the Baptist according to the book of Matthew and came across Matthew 3:8. Here's what happened. John the Baptist was preaching to the lost about repenting of their sins to God and to follow God's Command and be baptized with water, when he was approached by the religious people (pharisees & sadducees). After seeing the religious people walk up, he shouted out...Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God! In other words, You say your a christian but does it line up with the way you live your lives? Prove It!
The thing of it is...can we prove it by our lifestyle that we are True followers of Christ or is it just an old time religion?
3 ways you can start to prove it is:
1. Show Jesus! - John 13:35 says, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Does your love reach past the church? Do people see Jesus in you? The only way Jesus can be exposed in our lives is to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).
2. Show Integrity! - What's attached to your name? Is it: liar, fake, untrustworthy, disrespectful, etc. Who are you when no one is looking? Life is full of temptations and is ready to pounce on your integrity. That is why we need the Holy Spirit in our lives! Galatians 5:16 says: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
3. Show Inspiration! - How many people have you inspired lately by the way you live? Your actions should inspire others to watch and imitate you. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said we should be the salt of the earth. If you think about salt, what is its benefits? Well, salt: enhances flavor, preserves, heals and creates thirst. Do people walk away from you inspired to know the God you serve? They should!
I believe, if we can live out these 3 things in our lives, we'll have no problem in Proving that God Loves, saves, heals, delivers, and is coming back!
God help me to prove it!