Paul, the apostle, writes in I Thessalonians 5:21: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." In II Corinthians 13:5 he exhorts Christians there to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." In both instances the word for "prove" means "to test, with the expectation of approving" (W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary). Can we prove (determine whether something is good or acceptable to God) anything religiously?

When Jesus faced the ultimate challenge, how did He prove Himself right? His confrontation with Satan is recorded in Matthew 4. In each instance Christ "proved" Satan wrong with "It is written." Even when Satan attempted to use Scripture against Him, He used other Scripture to prove Satan's conclusion wrong (Matthew 4:6-7; Deuteronomy 6:16). The Scriptures did not contradict. Christ was victorious. Satan left.

When questioned about divorce, Christ answered "Have ye not read" (Matthew 19:4). When asked what one must do to inherit eternal life, His response was simply, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?" (Luke 10:26) This lawyer had read accurately what was required and Jesus approved his conclusion - "Thou hast answered right." On another occasion Jesus urged others to "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life" (John 5:39). At another time He unequivocally promised, "If any man will do his (God's) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God" (John 7:17). Knowing what was right and approved of God was assured if mankind really wanted to know and do God's will.

Others in New Testament times proved what was right religiously in a similar manner. Peter in Acts chapter two devoted almost one- half of his discourse to Old Testament Scriptures to prove that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah. Stephen's sermon in Acts seven is one long series of Scriptures to prove Christianity to be right. Philip used Isaiah 53 to convert the Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8).  Berean converts were commended for their "receiving God's word with readiness of mind, and searching the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). They made every effort to prove what they were being taught to be right with God. No wonder, then, that Paul commanded Timothy "Study to show thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15).

Can you and I PROVE what we believe to be right religiously? If not, how can we know we are right?

Larry Albritton