Grow • Devotion #5: Proof is in the “Putting”
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:5-11
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Proof is in the pudding?” I was disappointed to learn it had nothing to do with our creamy dessert. The phrase comes from the United Kingdom and refers to something more like a stew in a sausage. They would take minced meat, oatmeal, and whatever was in the kitchen and stuff them in a prepared skin or bag. Then it was boiled. It is said that no one knew if it was done or prepared correctly until they tested it by taking a bite. When someone tells me they make the best chocolate chip cookies, I feel I need to be the judge by tasting them. The proof is in the pudding.
This is also true of our Christian walk. It is not just an emotional or specially worded prayer that makes one saved. It is a change of heart. It is turning from serving self to striving to follow and serve Jesus in word and deed. It is a call to repentance. The best way to label a tree is to look at its fruit. Apples come from apple trees.
In Colossians chapter 3, Paul gives examples of how to live out our salvation. He uses the word “put” four times:
- “Put to death” - Paul tells believers to destroy habitual sin. The problem with habitual sin is that it begins to control us. It becomes our god. That is idolatry.
- “Put them all away” - Paul lists a few verbal forms of sin. James chapter 3 reminds us of the difficulty of controlling the tongue. However, as believers, our walk and talk must be consistent with each other.
- “Put off” - Paul lets them work on this by themselves. They are told to think about what they used to do and change. It is time to grow up. We need to “grow up” toward the Lord.
- “Put on” - We are to be a new person. We are born again. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
The proof is in the pudding relates in that just saying one is a Christian is weak. There should be proof in our words and actions that make it clear to others that we have given our life to the Lord. This does not mean we have to or even can be perfect, but we should strive to please the Lord in everything we do, say, and think.