“…Prove your own selves..” – 2 Cor. 13;5
Examining yourself is one thing, proving yourself is another. Spurgeon illustrated the difference like this: He said, “Prove your own selves.” That means more than self-examination. A man is about to buy a horse; he thinks that possibly he may find out some flaw, and therefore he examines it; but after he has examined it, he says, “Let me have it for a week, that I may prove the animal before I invest in him.” A ship, both before and when launched, is carefully looked at; and yet before she is allowed to go to sea, she takes a trial trip; and then when proved she goes out on her long voyages. Now, many a man’s religion will stand examination that will not stand proof. It is like some cotton prints that are warranted fast colours, and so they seem when you look at them, but they are not washable when you get them home. It is good enough to look at, and it has got the “warranted” stamped upon it; but when it comes out into actual daily life, the colours soon begin to run, and the man discovers that the thing was not what he took it to be.”
Paul’s point is this – don’t tell me what you are, show me – prove it! You claim to love the Lord, and serve the Lord, and care for others, but where is the proof? Many testify as to what they are but upon cross-examination they can’t prove it because all the evidence is against them. That’s not only a disgrace, it is a difficulty. It hinders our ability to reach others for Christ. The sad fact is that many have a title and hold an office in the church, but that’s all they do. They fail to fulfill their office by doing their duty.
In Paul’s last letter to Timothy he speaks of his impending death by saying, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Then he leaves Timothy with this charge, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”( 2 Tim. 4:5). We would do well to do just that. Prove you own selves! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
