The Faith Test

​Tests. Exams. 
 
Most of us get a squeamish, sick feeling in our stomachs when we think of taking tests. For example, final exams at the end of a semester freak a lot of people out. Anxiety and even panic set in as the appointed hour of the test approaches. (The level of test anxiety may be proportional to the time the student spent studying in preparation!). 
 
I can say with some positive pride in my heart that I have never failed an academic test in my entire life. Okay, enough bragging on! 
 
I do admit though before knowing Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior that that I have failed some life tests I am not proud of. And of course, I have been challenged during my Christian life with tests to my faith. Most I have passed, a few not so much. 
 
The most important test to pass in life is the faith test. 
 
Why is passing the faith test so important? Because it is not possible to be in relationship with or please God without faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith in God is the key that opens the door of heaven. 
 
If you are like me, you want to please God. Faith is what pleases Him. Fact: faith will be tested as long as you and I live in our fleshly bodies on planet earth. I hope, like me, you desire to pass the faith test.
 
Paul helps us out when it comes to living that tests our faith. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he writes about passing tests in II Corinthians 13:5-6.
 
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Chris is in you—unless indeed you fail the test. But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.”
 
The apostle of grace says two important things we need to pay careful attention to considering our faith. 
 
1. Test. Examine yourself. You, yes you and me, see if you are in the faith. Take a hard, honest look into your faith life. No fudging here. Call it what it is. Faith or not.  
 
Regularly check yourself out. Take a spiritual “selfie” exam (You do not need to take a picture for Facebook!). Ask yourself: Is Jesus in me? Am I walking by faith and not by sight? Do I trust the Lord with my whole heart? Would people say I am a person of faith in Christ? What would God say about my faith?
             
In Psalm 139: 23-24 David invited, welcomed God to search him.
 
“Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way me; and lead me in the everlasting way.”  
 
Examining ourselves spiritually from time to time with God’s help is a good thing. Self-examination keeps us on our spiritual toes.
 
2. Jesus is in you. So do not fail the test. Pass the faith test because the living Christ lives in you. 
 
Paul reports he and his Christian companions pass the faith test. Arrogant or braggadocios? Not at all. Simply reporting the facts. 
 

• When tempted with worldly thoughts…. Paul passed the test. (Romans 12:1-2)
• When tempted with immoral behavior…. Paul passed the test. (II Timothy 2:19-22, I Thessalonians 4:3-4).
• When tempted with doubt… Paul passed the test. (II Timothy 1:12, I Timothy 1:12-17))
• When tested to deny Christ…Paul passed the test. (Acts 26:19-26). 

 
You and I, like Paul, can pass the faith test. Failure is not an option. Christians cannot afford to fail the faith test for faith in Jesus Christ is our life. You and I have no life, abundant or eternal, without faith in the resurrected Lord. 
 
Recently I looked into the eyes and down into the heart of a person I have been counseling whose faith is being severely tested. 
 
I exhorted him in the name of the Lord Jesus to pass the test. My brother in Christ, whatever it takes, pass the test. God will help you. 
 
I am praying this person will take my words to heart and pass the test. 
 
 How about you? Is your faith being tested?
 
If so, my brother or sister in Christ, how’s your faith? Intact? Maturing? Growing? Stretching? Bold? Strong? Influential? Are you becoming more like Jesus Christ? 
 
Do you stand firm in faith when Satan tempts you to disobey God? Is your faith steadfast and immovable? Do you stand up and speak out on behalf of the Lord when others fall away because persecution’s heat is turned up? Are you passing the faith test? 
 
Whenever and however your faith may be tested, and it will, pass the test with flying colors in Christ! 
 
“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39
 
A Word Your Week: Test yourself and pass the faith test.