“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10)
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There is an old saying that states the proof is in the pudding. I have always wondered about that statement. What does it mean? Where did it come from? As for meaning, ww.dictionary.com defines it like this.
The proof is in the pudding is an expression that means the value, quality, or truth of something must be judged based on direct experience with it—or on its results.
http://www.dictionary.com
The saying originated in the early 1600s and came from Britain. In the U.K., a pudding is not a creamy dessert as we know here in the U.S. Instead, it is a dish comprised of sausage-like seasoned minced meat and other ingredients boiled in a skin or a bag. Judging the quality of the pudding came only by tasting the pudding. Hence, the proof is in the pudding. You can only know it’s good when you have tasted it.
As I was studying 1Thessalonians 1:9-10 this week, this saying came to mind as I read about their testimony. Many proclaim to be followers of Christ. However, when you examine their lives, there is no proof in the pudding. Instead, we have many who act like the rest of society, and there is no evidence of real change in their lives. The Lord Jesus Christ said this.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15–20)
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As we know, the Lord was speaking about false prophets. Essentially, He was saying that the proof is in the pudding. However, the principle still applies. Good trees produce good fruit. Rotten trees produce bad fruit. Thus, “by their fruits, ye shall know them.“
There is no doubt that many knew the testimony of the Thessalonian believers. Even the Holy Spirit testifies to their salvation and life’s change. In fact, the proof of their true allegiance to Christ was noted in three ways.
Change Verified by the Testimony of Others
Note again verse 9.
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
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Everywhere Paul traveled, people already knew about the Thessalonian believers. If you recall verse 8, you will remember that their testimony was known throughout all Macedonia and Achaia regions. The life-changing power of the Gospel was so great that word spread rapidly. People took notice.
The word “shew” means to announce. In other words, people were talking. They were talking about these believers. Such was the change in their lives that others announced the change publicly. Those who believe its life-changing message experience its power. The transformation started when Paul first entered their city, proclaiming the glorious Gospel of Christ. Now, the proof was verified by many who saw the change.
Here is another proof of the Gospel’s life-changing power.
Change Verified by a Transfer of Loyalties
Again, consider verse 9 as it states:
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
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Before Paul ventured into their city, these people served false idols and gods. The chains of false worship bound them. They knew nothing else. It was a life with no hope, future, or spiritual life. Yes, they were religious. Perhaps many were dedicated devotees to Greek and Roman mythology and its many gods. However, it all changed when Paul stood and proclaimed Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. His message of God’s deliverance was a wonderful message of love, hope, and spiritual life. A change took place for those who opened their hearts to its message. They understood for the first time the deception under which they lived. Through the glorious power of the Holy Spirit, spiritually blind eyes were opened. Now they knew that there was one God, Jehovah. He, with great love, sent His only Son to die for them. Something the supposed gods of Rome and Greece would never do. Now, they knew. It changed everything for them.
They experienced the very change described in Ephesians 2.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:1–3)
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Until the day Paul proclaimed the Gospel, they had no choice but to live their lives as they did. It was a life filled with lusts and selfish desires driven by anger and wrath they could not understand. Their lives were under the domain of Satan. Spiritual darkness reigned.
But then, Paul came. He preached the life-changing power of Christ. He spoke about the true and living God who did something marvelous and wonderful.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4–7)
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With awe, they learned of a God with great love. So great was His love that He willingly allowed His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for their sins. They then learned that this same wonderful God could completely change their lives. He could give them spiritual life rescuing them from spiritual death. Having heard those words, they realized the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
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What glorious news! God did it all. The only thing required was faith. They only needed to believe. As they realized their sin, they accepted all that God did, repented of their sin, and confessed it before Him. At that moment, spiritual life erupted. Change happened. They experienced God’s wonderful gift and knew that He was indeed God. Now, everything was different. They had a purpose, hope, and power to live as God intended.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
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At that moment, loyalties changed. They no longer wanted to worship and follow graven images made by man’s hands. Instead, their hearts were sold out for the living and true God. It was evidenced in everything they said and did. They literally made 1 Corinthians 10:31 a reality.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
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Such change does not go unnoticed.
Yet, there is one other thing to note about their testimony of change. It was a:
Change Verified by Their Trust in Christ’s Return
Verse 10 notes:
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
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Life was no longer about dead gods and a hopeless eternity. It was now focused on a beautiful everlasting future in Heaven with Christ. They were now people made spiritually alive by the living God with a hope of eternal life. As such, they lived as people with hope as they waited patiently for the Lord’s return. It was a promise that also made a difference. None of them knew when He might return. However, I am sure they believed and hoped it would be in their lifetime. Now, there was an urgency. They wanted their loved ones, friends, and neighbors to have the same assurance of Heaven as they did. Time was short. Thus, they took seriously their responsibility to tell others about the life-changing power of the Gospel. It became their passion. It was a passion evidenced by everyone around them.
As I think about these believers, I realize that their outward actions proved the life-changing power of the Gospel. Without a doubt, it was evidenced by many. The proof was so overwhelming that two entire regions were talking about it.
If you are reading this and have never accepted the life-changing message of the Gospel by faith, I would ask you to consider doing so today. It is good news. It is life-changing news. It is news about the living God who, through great love for you, allowed His Son to die a cruel death. His death became the payment for your sin. All you must do is believe, repent, and confess your allegiance to Him. If you will, God’s power will completely change your life. If you want to talk with me about this, I would love to hear from you. You can always reach me via email or through the comment section.
Believer, what proof do others have that you are a follower of Christ? Are you outwardly following Him through obedience to His Word?
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:4–6)
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Outward actions are a result of what is in the heart. Do others then know from your actions that you are a follower of Christ? If not, confess your failure to Him, commit to living obediently, and let others learn from your daily living that He is number one in your life.