“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. I hope you recognize that we have passed the test and are approved by God.” 2 Corinthians 13:5-6
It’s time for some in depth study of God’s word. No stories, no feel good this or that, just the meat of God’s word. It’s time we start stepping up and taking responsibility for ourselves, our faith, and our spiritual growth.
“Examine yourselves” Paul says, observe your life, and check out your heart’s motives and intentions. Look at your life carefully and inspect your lifestyle. Find a mirror that is close up what has priority in your life?
“See if your faith is genuine”, he says. Now listen close to what he is saying. Are you sincerely and honestly seeking more of Jesus? Are you DAILY experiencing Jesus Christ? Is your desire to know more about Jesus than anything else? If it is, than you will be more consumed with Him and His word than with yourself and the world.
Test yourselves-is your faith growing? Are you becoming more and more mature spiritually? If you cannot see Christ in your life than you are not growing, and you might not even be a Christian. That is what Paul is saying! A good way to test yourself is by looking at your lifestyle. Is Jesus the center?
If He is not than Paul says, “You have failed the test.”
Real faith seeks Jesus daily; it is not a mere thought but an action. Real faith accepts discipline from God’s word and does not ignore it. Real faith seeks to be examined by the Lord; it listens to the Holy Spirit when it speaks. Real faith is lived out! Real faith believes and stands firm in the promises of God. Real faith has no room for complacency, it is not half-hearted, it is not lukewarm, and it does not self-serve.
Real faith does not base it’s salvation on works, or religious traditions, but on the free gift of salvation given to it through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Real faith desires to have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ; it desires to grow in wisdom and in truth EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Real genuine faith can praise and worship God because of the pure love it has for Jesus. Real faith does not require its pastor or church to make it feel good, instead real faith looks to the cross and Jesus Christ because He is the one who feeds and fuels the soul.
If we are not seeking God daily than we are only pushing ourselves further away.
Prayer: Lord place us under Your microscope and examine the very cells of our souls. Open our eyes from the blindness. Let there be no way we can escape from the truth of where each of us are at with our faith. Lord out of love and respect for You may we not sugar-coat, make excuses, or try and justify our lack of faith. Abba Father You give us time, Your word, and opportunity to grow in faith, forgive us for choosing to pursue others thing. Amen
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