Proving Our Love and God’s Grace, Part 2

Proving Our Love Proves Our Salvation

The goal in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 is to prove our love and God’s grace. Proving our love is the same as proving our salvation. It demonstrates to those around us that we are Christians. Christianity is more than religious acknowledgment or acts; it is a complete change in how we live. Christians regularly demonstrate this reality.

So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

This concept appears in Hebrews 6. Those enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come, yet fell away, could not be restored. They had significant experiences but were not genuinely saved, so they rebelled when times got hard.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are convinced of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

What separates the false convert from the true is service to God’s people and consistency in it. These things accompany salvation. God notices the work and love shown in serving the saints. Proving our love convinces others of our salvation.

Our text ties proving our love to our reputation. We aim to do what is honorable in the Lord’s sight and in the sight of men, demonstrating genuine love for God and his people, earning a reputation as believers who serve.

Three Examples to Follow

1. The Example of Titus

Titus was available, not just present but devoted to the apostles’ teaching, doctrinally sound, and eager to minister to Christians. He was swift and joyful in caring for others’ needs, especially spiritual and gospel-focused ones.

Titus was the opposite of complacency. Devotion to the apostles’ teaching directly affects devotion to ministry. Consistency and attitude in serving reveal love. Without love for God and his people, eagerness fades, especially in adversity.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Church must be our life, not an event. We devote ourselves to Christ’s teaching, act as saved citizens of heaven, and care for each other’s needs, including physical ones, without hesitation.

2. The Example of the Famous Preacher

This unnamed brother was famous among all churches for preaching the gospel. His anonymity shows the message is significant, not the person. Proving love includes spiritual care, primarily sanctification.

Material help is important but secondary to eternal needs. Money or clothes do not save from hell; gospel preaching does.

I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Everyone is an evangelist, responsible for others’ spiritual well-being. This preacher’s gospel-centered life is our example.

3. The Example of the Earnest Brother

This unnamed brother was tested often and found earnest in many matters. He was faithful, available, zealous, and reliable. His life centered on the church, not as extracurricular but as existence.

In comfort, we coast through routines of education, career, family. But we must choose ministry deliberately, like choosing a career. Be a doer in church, not an attendee. Consistency proves salvation.

We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us. For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of men. ... Give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

If Christ died to save us from eternal damnation, our brief lives here matter eternally when lived for God’s glory. Prioritize ministry over entertainment or self-focused activities. Prove your salvation through love and service to God’s people.