2 Corinthians 13:5-8 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Most of you know that my career was in education. However most of you have no idea that I am, and always have been, a “test-phobe.” I absolutely hated taking tests in school for fear that I would make a mistake and get something wrong. I was always the very last person to finish, going back over answers time and time again. I probably frustrated every teacher I ever had. Now there is some interesting irony!
Today’s passage may seem a little difficult to digest at first. It carries a sense of vacillating terms. So perhaps we can slowly unpack some of the meaning if we dig a little deeper and take things slowly.
First, Paul is encouraging us to do a self-check of our faith. Is our faith based upon Christ? If so, we have passed the first test. Faith based on anything other than Christ will surely fail us in times of need.
Next, Paul refers to ones who have taught them in the faith—namely himself as well as the other apostles. He encourages the Corinthians, as well as us today, that what he has taught and what we have learned is based on God’s truth. Paul had a lot of teachings that were corrective in nature; teachings intended to bring harmony to the Corinthians and get them back on track, to note one of our familiar sayings. His hope was that as they grew in their faith, they would realize the truthfulness of his message, because his teachings were rooted in the teachings of Christ. His authority to teach, admonish, and correct came through understanding God’s word and was administered in loving concern for others. This brings us to our next test—motives. Do we do what is right only when it is recognized by others, or because we know in our hearts that what is right is the right thing to do. Do we stand firm for the truth?
Gracious Heavenly Father,
These are indeed trying times—times that test our faith and our courage. Your Word is truth, help us to stand firm in your truth—to do the right thing because it is right. May we pass the test of faith that is based upon Christ Jesus, our Lord. Forgive us when we stray.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional Not All Tests are a Bad Thing appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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