Introduction
This phrase, “prove your own selves” as found in second Corinthians 13 verse 5c is a part of the word of exhortation of apostle Paul to the people of Corinth. He has stated that they should not assume too much, and they should be ready to always check whether they are yet in faith for sometimes one may have drifted off but still thinks he is in faith.
Samson has drifted off and yet thought he was in faith because he was unable to examine himself. By the time he realizes that he was no longer on tracks what he does not expect has happened to him, as he has been apprehended, imprisoned and shortly afterwards his eyes were plucked off his sockets. (Judg 16)
The apostle having said that the people should ascertain that they are in faith, adds that one needs to prove one’s own self. What does this phrase, “prove your own selves” therefore implies? This is what this article intends to clarify.
1. Grammatical Emphasis: The word, “prove your own selves” is a phrase. The “own” in the word “prove your own selves” according to grammarians is for emphasis. It is stating that you, me, as an individual person is referred to. He, apostle Paul, wants individual persons reading the letter to focus on himself or herself and leave focusing on outsiders or external forces. This is one of the weaknesses of believers today, we focus on outsiders without looking inwards, neither checking ourselves.
Therefore, Jesus would say of those people who focus on outsiders as those who see mote in the eyes of outsiders where as there are beam in their own eyes which they ignore paying attention to.
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
“Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.” (Luk 6:41-42)
From the above, we shall see that if we remove the word “own” from “prove your own selves” the phrase would become “prove your… selves” and this word still has meaning.
2. Definition of “Prove Yourselves”
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines “prove yourself” as to show other people that you are a particular type of person or that you are have a particular quality. Sometimes the negative eyes with which people view others is the eyes with which they will be viewing you, and the negative perspective they are having on people that is their perspective of you.
This often times happens when majority of people in the area we are, are doing what is wrong. Thus, to those people who view and see people in the bad light which majority a one in the neighborhood we live have indulged themselves in, we need to prove ourselves to them as believers that though we live among them, but we do not belong to their class.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa 53:6)
This was what Noah did during his days, as the bible says all the world was corrupt then, but Noah alone stands out among them, in other words he proved himself unto God among the corrupt people he was living in.
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
“And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Gen 6:5-6, 8-9 &12)
Noah proved himself, he stands out, distanced himself from the corruptness of the people of his days. This God expects of us from what the apostle writes here. The question that we shall therefore answer here is how do we prove ourselves?
3. How to Prove Yourself (or Ourselves)
To prove yourself, you need to show that you are a christian to the people of the world. your past would be talked about and you will present you new status to them to show that your life has been transformed.
(i) Anti-Gospel: Those who have been working against the expansion of the gospel needs to produce the evidence that they are now a changed person to the people of the world for them to know that they have believed the gospel. Take as instance, Saul who later changed his name to Paul was known as an anti-gospel before, but when he changed he shows it to all that he has changed from his former way of life and living to the way of the gospel. (Acts 9)
(ii) Extortioners: The extortioners need to do this too, to show that they are no longer taken from the people more than the government asks them to collect as tax from the people. Zacchaeus shows this when he accepts Jesus into his house and his life, he promised that he would stop the illegal dealings and if anyone presented allegations of false collections to him he shall repay those back four folds.
“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
“And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
“And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
“And Jesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” (Luk 19:5-9)
(iii) Moralists: Some people who are brought up by moralists, they have good morals, and thus they think by being moral they are in right standing with God, but when they hear the gospel and they know that moral is nothing before and with God as he states that all our good deeds are like filthy rags before him and he changes his way of life and living and becomes a christian, he will show others who are morally living and by that have been thinking that they are Christians that moral does not make one a christian except one repents of his or her sins and be converted to God through Jesus Christ.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa 64:6)
Moral people must show the world that they have embraced the gospel.
Nathanael was a moralist; thus Jesus would speak of him as an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile. But despite having no guile, he still needs salvation, he needs Jesus and when he meets Jesus he accepts the freewill offer and becomes saved. (Joh 1:45-51)
(iv) Adulterers and Fornicators: The adulterers, adulteresses, and fornicators must show that they have changed from their former estate to a new estate. Rahab the harlot was an example of someone who does this, she changed from her old ways and become a new person through which she could save her family and herself from destruction (Jos 2 & 6:20-25)
(v) Those who Do Not Show Love to Their Neighbors: Those who do not show love to their neighbors should show that they have changed from their former ways of life and are now showing love to their neighbors since they have known Jesus Christ. (Luk 10:25-37)
(vi) Fearful People: The fearful people need to prove themselves also, showing the people that they now have boldness in the Lord Jesus Christ. This was what apostle Peter did, he was once afraid to defend the name of Christ but having been delivered he showed that he was a transformed person. (Mat 26:72 cf Act 2:14ff)
(vii) Lazy People: Lazy people should show that they have left their former estate and are now following the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
“Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Th 3:8-10)
Wrapping this up, in these and many other ways could believers prove their own selves unto others and God that they have embraced the gospel and have nothing to do with the works of darkness other than exposing it.
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph 5:11)
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