Sunday, May 26, 2013

Did you pass the test? 2 Corinthians 11-13


2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (NASBStr)
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.

Paul, like Peter, challenges his readers in regard to their faith and the reality of it.   Compare what Paul says with Peter's words in 2 Peter1:10-11

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul says "test" yourself.  Peter says "confirm your calling and election."  Both want us to look into our hearts and compare what we are saying with how we are acting.  True Biblical faith will generate an unusual hunger for God and His Word.   It will generate an unusual look at the weakness of life and realize they were given to us for His strength to be seen through us.   True Spirit filled work in our lives will produce the fruit of the Spirit.  Love will be evident in your life.   Joy won't be manufactured by good choices and a bright attitude but because the Spirit is alive and working out in your life and producing joy.   Peace won't be a by-product of effort but a fruit of the Spirit that comes from your walk with Christ.   We are to examine our lives and assure that we are forgiving like God forgave.  We are to show mercy like God showed mercy.   Absent these qualities, and many more, is to fail the test.   This is a test that is not graded on a curve.   This is a test you can't fail.  

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