WV: Proof

"Show me."
"Prove it."
"Let me see."
"Oh yeah? Do it."
"Put your money where your mouth is."

Yeah... about that. I mean, regarding your hope and dreams for assurance, right qualifications, evidence, security in your decision, or proof. I have good news...
I have none.

The end... almost.

"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:6-11

Let it be known: I am not here for exegesis, contextual argument, or any other discussion. I am here to point out a principle. That's all.

Obedience comes BEFORE the blessing.

The Lord says, "Test me in this... ." How is "this?" Look prior to His statement- "how" is in obeying His word. IE- by BRINGING the WHOLE tithe back. Do not suppose that the test is not by any rule we hold against Him. It is not by any proof we hold out for in assurance that He will indeed act. There is no standard by which we ask God to move, as if we can even ask for assurance. That is not love (John 15). That is not faith (Hebrews 11). You have HIS word. Is that no longer good enough? The beginning of the passage is a declaration, "I the LORD do not change." Belief before blessing... that's the truth. Belief cannot be separated from obedience. Get used to it. God is not an American businessman, He's not out to win you with a guarantee, stop treating Him like one. What? You think there should be some sort of demonstration of good faith from Him? Okay...

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

He has made His move again and again and again. Is it not enough for you? I'm not speaking to anyone other than the church here... this is not about the faith of the world. This is about the faith of the Church. Get over yourselves! You who claim belief in "Jehovah Jireh" yet cower when your bank account declines. You who say, "I want God to write my love story," yet reject His leading and hold your stipulations on His anointed. You who say, "My life is in You, Lord," but fight to maintain control of your family and social life. You who declare the eternal riches found in godliness while investing in gold. Yes... the Church. Can you point out one place where the blessing was given before obedience was shown? Hebrews 11 makes no such claim, these faithful people had NOTHING to go on except the word of the LORD (BTW- if you want to know if there's any power behind His word, see Genesis 1 or any Gospel ). Scripture says they even died before they saw the promise fulfilled. Are we so special to be given any different opportunity? I think not.

It's time to get over yourselves and go. Stop looking for proof and evidence that will simply put your faith back in yourself. Stop asking for assurance when He's given His word. Stop asking for the blessing before you're willing to move.

I haven't had a good rant in awhile... but in all honesty, this one's been a long time in coming. The American church is not a negotiator between any commercial parties. God is not diplomatic... He's not even democratic (Yes, that means that even if the whole body were to decide they wanted proof before moving, He would not be obliged to give it). His reputation is firmly established. His word is altogether true. He has never failed. Stop acting like that's a possibility and GO.

There's still no proof. There's still no security in your initial move. There's no assurance that your bank account will remain stable or that you'll even get out alive. None of that has changed. Isn't that good news?

The end.