2 Corinthians 13:5

How many of you enjoy taking tests? Raise your hand.

That’s what I thought.

Me neither.

Yet, life, at a very early age, consists of many tests we’re required to take. Tests at school. Drivers tests. College entrance tests.

To become a doctor, lawyer, or airline pilot you must pass a test. It’s very common to go for an annual physical and take blood tests. As a result you may need to take a stress test. Often we hear the doctor say, “We’re going to run more tests.”

Today’s passage speaks of another type of test. A spiritual test.

“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 you fail the test?

The word test means to “examine” to “scrutinize” or to “prove.” Vincent says the word “implies a definite intent to ascertain their spiritual condition.” Consider these three important points about testing.

#1 This admonition is to Christians.

While written to the church at Corinth by implication it applies to us today. It’s easy to take for granted that we are “in the faith” because we’ve obeyed the gospel and attend church.

But, it’s possible for Christian to slip and fall. To become indifferent. Lukewarm. To stray from their first love. Or allow sin to creep into their lives. John’s letters to the 7 churches of Asia (Revelation 2-3) verify this is a possibility.

#2 We are to test ourselves, not others.

It’s easy for us to examine others. To judge by outward appearance. To scrutinize the actions of our brethren. To analyze the motive behind a preacher’s sermon, or criticize a Shepherd’s decision. To inspect the life of a friend. To put under a microscope the behavior of a spouse, child, or parent. And to even draw conclusions about people we don’t even know by a single encounter. Yet, it requires greater honesty, humility, and thoughtfulness to inspect our own lives.

The Corinthians had exerted much effort in examining Paul. Scrutinizing his ministry. Distrusting his methods. And questioning his motives. But, Paul admonishes them to examine their own lives.

As Paul put it in Galatians 6:4, “let each one examine his own actions.”

#3 The Basis of the examination is “the faith.”

Tests are designed to be objective, not subjective. They deal with facts. Truth. And the actual material the student has studied that apply to the specific subject. In the case of a medical test, the results are viewed against the understood standard for optimum health.

Spiritually, the standard is God’s Word. It is Truth (Jn. 17:17). It is God’s Good News that will save our souls (Rom. 1:16). It is that which calls us into a relationship with Him (2 Thess. 2:14). And it will judge us in the last day (Jn. 12:48-50).

Sadly, too many test themselves based on their feelings, opinions, denominational doctrines, cultural mores, or moral relativism. The results of this type of testing will be a failing grade in God’s eyes. ‘

Ten Test Questions to Consider

1. Do I truly love God with all my heart, soul, and mind?

2. Do I care about and show compassion for other people, especially the less fortunate?

3. Am I practicing the one another commands to accept, encourage, edify, exhort, admonish, comfort, and forgive one another?

4. Am I daily seeking to be discipled after Christ, become more like Him, and imbibe His attitude?

5. Am I active in the local church family, not only with faithful attendance, but fervent worship and in serving the needs of others?

6. Do I exercise opportunities to do good, both to Christians and non Christians alike?

7. Am I lovingly fulfilling my role and responsibilities in my family as a father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter?

8.Do I care about the lost and share my faith with others?

9. Am I engaged in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study and mediation?

10. When others look at my life, am I really the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth”?

While each of the questions is based on passages of scripture, neither Ken Weliever or any other person has the right to administer a litmus test of your spirituality or is the sole judge of your grade.

Test yourself.

And in the final analysis, ask, “Is Jesus Christ in me?”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman