2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NIV
[5] Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? [6] And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
Good Morning:
Walking through this life’s journey, we will face many tests and challenges, as well as peaks and valleys of good and bad situations we face. But through it all, the one big test we must not fail is the test of faith in our Lord.
Are we living as Christ is in us? Are we treating each day as “this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it?” (Psalm 118:24)
Don’t Just Put Your Toes in the Water
We know the Word of God will never fail us. We know that truth is only in Him. We’ve heard sermon after sermon of God’s grace. Yet, somehow we find ourselves not in the faith but just putting our toes in the water, imitating but not being. God wants us fully immersed in Him — not just getting our feet wet. God wants a one-on-one relationship with us, not a one-way relationship. He loved us first and it is our duty and privilege to love Him back, seeking Him ever-continuously in order to grow closer and closer to Him.
1 John 4:19 NKJV
[19] We love Him because He first loved us.
When we commit to live with Christ in hearts, our lives should bear the fruit of our Savior. With God’s grace and mercy, we receive the blessing of salvation with the King of the all creation making His home within us. Everything we do is laid bare before Him. There is nothing we can hide. So let us live daily with our hearts focused on doing good for His glory, not for the shallow and short-lived promises of the world.
It is so easy to get distracted by the glitz and glamour this world has to offer. In our human tendencies, we will follow any shiny object that distracts us. But it is important to constantly keep our hearts and souls focused on what is of eternal value. Don’t lose your soul over the pursuit of temporary happiness. God has so much more that He has prepared for us.
Matthew 25:34 NKJV
[34] Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mark 8:36-38 NKJV
[36] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? [37] Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? [38] For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Here’s the Simple Self-Test
Do I live daily as if Christ is at the center of my life, running the race to win, seeking His will, praying often, and as Micah 6:8 instructs, doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God?
Answer Key:
If you answer yes, then you pass. We know we will never be perfect in this life, but God grants us forgiveness and we have the security of salvation in our hearts.
If you answer no, then this is the time for change in your life. It is never too late to repent and start living a life for Christ. Start today. Start right now! Pray for God’s forgiveness and begin a new journey on a path of righteousness living out the instructions of God’s word and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, fully immersed in His love! Ask God for His wisdom in moving forward to live out the rest of your life fully devoted to Him.
Micah 6:8 NKJV
[8] He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
James 3:17 NKJV
[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
“No man is uneducated who knows the Bible,
and no one is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.”
—SAMUEL CHADWICK
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad