Would You Pass the Test?

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Scripture:

2Cor. 13:5 ¶ Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test!

Observation:

The goal for all of God's children is Christlikeness.  How is this possible?  According to the Apostle Paul -- by having Christ in us.  This was his encouragement to the Corinthian church.  He wanted them to test themselves and see if they were truly living lives that would reflect Jesus Christ to the world around them.  If they were living this kind of life then Christ would truly be living in them.  But then again -- there would be those who would not pass the test. 

Application:

The big question for us today is whether or not we would pass the test.  The life of the Christ-follower is supposed to be different!  Throughout my lifetime I have encountered many people who liked to talk about things in the Scriptures and about holiness but at the same time they were not very nice people.  How in the world is that possible?  I think that Paul was seeing the same thing in the Corinthian church.  There were those who could expound on all the things that they had learned and they would be happy to share that with the world.  What they did not do was reflect Jesus Christ in their daily lives;  and this is the ultimate test.

We must also recognize that there is something significant in our personal engagement in Christlikeness.  That happens as we participate in the holiness of Jesus Christ -- by Christ being in us.  This is where imitation of Christ becomes important.  If I want to be like Christ -- why would I not want to emulate him?  Therefore I do all I can to be like Christ while at the same time having Christ in me.  Ultimately what the world sees is Jesus Christ -- and that is our desire.  That is the way in which we can pass test -- Christ in me. 

Would you pass the test today?

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to pass the test on a daily basis.  Amen.

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