2 Corinthians 13:5 (Examine)

^"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith."

When's the last time you had to get a physical examination at the doctor's office?  The purpose of these exams is to see how you're doing physically, right?  Similarly to a physical exam, Paul urges us to give ourselves a spiritual exam to see how we're doing.  To wrap up our study of 2 Corinthians (which I'm shocked to say we've been studying since Labor Day), we are given a final command and test.  

Do you ever wonder if God is really working in you, or if perhaps you've been making this up in your head and feeling "happy thoughts" that are all of your own creation?  I have.  

These questions are not something to be ashamed of; rather, they are the very essence of what makes this our faith.  There is a large element of the unknown -- I have had some very real and life-changing encounters with Jesus, but He has yet to physically join me for a cup of coffee on my living room couch.  This is our faith.  Yet, I can tell you that when you really take time to examine it, you will see the proof and presence of Jesus.

And this is exactly what Paul says in his final words to the Corinthians.  He tells them to examine themselves, to test themselves.  If you know that Jesus is in you (the Holy Spirit), then you have Him. The only way for us to get Him is to repent of our sins, believe that Jesus is God who died for our sins, and willingly ask Him to take control of our lives so that we are no longer in the driver's seat.  He will say yes!  If you have surrendered your life to Christ, then you have Him.  Period.

Now, ask any Christian if they have ups and downs in their faith, and they will say yes.  Some days I can feel God's presence in my life so strongly, and other days I wonder why He is not more apparent to me.  So how do we know if our faith is genuine?  Genuine faith is not satisfied with remaining where we are.

Genuine faith demonstrates a growing awareness of God's presence.  We may not always feel Him in every moment, but overall, do we continue to feel and be aware of Him more and more as we interact with people and the world around us?  Also, are we seeking to grow closer to God or are we lackadaisically slipping further away from Him -- it is either one or the other.  We must be seeking Him, and then we will be feeling Him.

Do you know that Jesus knows this challenge for us, and in fact He prays for you.  It's recorded in the Bible, which I had never seen until college!  Read John 17.  It will astound you that Jesus Himself is praying for YOU!  In the last verses, verse 25 and 26, here is what He says in prayer for you:

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they (the Christians) know that you have sent me.  I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Did you see what He said?  I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known... Jesus wants us to continue to grow closer to God, too!  He desires that when we examine ourselves that we will see we are growing closer to our Creator, and He is the one who is working to do this in our lives.  He wants us to understand God the Father through our relationship with Himself.

So this morning, I echo Paul's challenge to you: seek Him more.  Continue to move closer to Him.  If we aren't purposefully seeking a closer relationship and understanding of who He is, then we are moving away from Him.  Fill your mind with Scripture, songs, and articles that will be good for your heart, that teach you and challenge you.  Pray to Him -- nothing earth-shaking -- just a conversation.  And allow time for silence so that He may speak.  He wants to be found by you, dear one.  If you seek Him, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  



Molly Monroe