Giving Proof

2 Corinthians 8:24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

24 τὴν οὖν ἔνδειξιν τῆς ἀγάπης ὑμῶν καὶ ἡμῶν καυχήσεως ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν εἰς αὐτοὺς ἐνδεικνύμενοι εἰς πρόσωπον τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν.

I found this to be a somewhat difficult chapter in Greek.  However, this verse is pretty plain.  Paul has been exhorting them about giving and how they will receive Titus.  He's telling them to act according to his boasting about them.

I think that this is yet another verse speaking to the Lordship of Christ in the life of the believer.  You see, if we have love we will have actions.  Paul is basically making an appeal to their salvation.  If they are truly part of the church then they will behave a certain way.  The two go together like peanut butter and jelly.

This stands in stark contrast to the watered-down message given to many who are left to languish in their sins with a false assurance of salvation.  If there is no life change then there probably is no heart change.  We do not work to merit anything, but if we have no desire for good works then we should check our hearts.  Too often we get this backwards and do good works hoping to earn something or change something.  The works are the result of the change.

Where are you?  Does your life reflect a changed heart?  I pray that mine would more and more each day.