How Much More Proof Do You Need?

In science, a single outcome does not prove a formula is true. There must be consistent findings before science accepts a theory as ‘proven’. The same is true for just about anything else that is presented to us, even our belief in God. God is not a theory. What are you waiting for?

At that time, when the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a bushel, but on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.”

Luke 11.29-33

In today’s Gospel lesson we hear Christ essentially challenging His listeners to believe. They wanted proof but were unwilling to trust the proof that had already been given for generations. Now, here we are today, with even more proof and we still live as if we don’t believe.

The examples Christ gives us are not just about outward belief, but inward change and repentance. The men of Nineveh changed their behavior because of the proof they witnessed. If the men of Nineveh could believe and repent, why can’t we?

Brethren, you who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Christ made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. These are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?

Colossians 2.13-20

Saint Paul has the same questions for us. “Why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?” The Church presents us with myriad examples of saints who confessed and repented. How much more proof do we need to change our lives?

I invite you today to take a moment and challenge yourself. Are you living like you belong to God or like you belong to the world? Are you more interested in pleasing people or pleasing God? Are you more convinced of your own ‘truth’ or the Truth of Christ as maintained by the Church?

These are not simple questions. The answers begin with admitting our weakness. When Christ invites us to deny ourselves to follow Him (see Mark 8.34), that means admitting our way is not guaranteed to be correct. More than likely, our way is worldly, not Godly.

For us to live like we belong to God we must accept the world does not have the answers to life. Here’s a simple litmus test. If the world’s answer goes against the Church, that should tell you which is Godly. It all starts with allowing the proof to change our lives, once and for all.

Ask God to help you see your weakness. Ask God to help your belief be strong enough to stand up to the world’s answers. Then when you fall, ask God to forgive you and help you get back on track. If there is one thing God has proven over and again, is that He will forgive our mistakes.

Maybe that’s all the proof we need for today.