(The following is the August 15 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 2 Corinthians 13 and pay close attention to verses 5-7.)
People may readily speculate on the genuineness of other people’s faith while rarely, if ever, examining their own. Christians should follow Paul’s words: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless you fail the test” (v. 5).
Examining something requires looking at it as thoroughly and objectively as possible. For example, before purchasing a car, I’ll go over it to the best of my limited ability and have a good mechanic check it out. We’ll both test drive it, providing more helpful information than a visual inspection. Having multiple people examine it from various perspectives provides a more reliable, thorough basis for deciding on the purchase.
Just as we examine and test all sorts of products, Paul stresses the importance of doing this to ourselves spiritually. This requires holding our thoughts, words, deeds, and doctrines up against the perfect standard of God’s Word. It demands that we evaluate the intimacy of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Do we merely proclaim intellectual assent to Christian teachings, or has God transformed us inwardly by grace through faith? Do we have a fully surrendered heart and live for God’s glory, hungering for his righteousness and bearing godly fruit? Through the truths of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the wisdom of fellow believers who dare to be truthful, we can honestly examine and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith.
Taking tests may not be fun, but the results tell us where we stand and if we fall short. Used correctly, they help us learn.
Next Step:
Imagine yourself as an impartial observer examining and evaluating your Christian life. In what ways would you pass the test? Are there ways in which you’d fail? Do you have a trusted, mature Christian friend or leader who can help you examine your walk with Christ?
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