Do I fail the test?

 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. ⁷ Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. ⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. ¹⁰ This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.


~ 2 Cor 13:5-10


Do I fail that test?


With his closing statement Paul encourages the church of Corinth to test themselves. What does it mean to test yourself in Christ? In academics, tests are not only used to gauge a persons competence, but also to spur on those lazy individuals to be focus and learn the material rather the person procrastinating. (honestly if there were no test in school i wouldn't learn anything). In a way it acts like a catalyst and gives the individual a sense of urgency. I'm not sure whether these early Christians were lazy about their faith, but these individuals did lack Christ like characteristics of Godly love. Quite possibly even being too focused on the worldly issues. I can relate...


I feel like I do fail that test. Up until recent... I haven't been living a Christ centered life. At most times my back was facing him as I did as I pleased. And whats saddening is the fact that it took me a traumatic event to change my perspective. How much more could Christ have been glorified before this event? But I accept God's will and realize that I had to go through tough times to see the value of Christ. The one who never leaves your side even when you feel that the world is coming down. 


Will I survive the next test when Satan comes knocking at my door? I hope so... I need to make sure I reinforce my faith so that no matter how much Satan huff and puffs at the foundations of my faith, I would not falter to keep pursuing a Christ like life. Reading the word, writing about it, listening to c-music and praying are definitely leading me to the right direction. I also feel that serving and sharing the word is essential to help keep this relationship with God a healthy one. 


Jesus, thank you for forgiving me of my wretchedness. Thank you for giving me mercy. Thank you for dying on the cross and giving us that perfect example to follow.

In Christ alone, my hope is found


He is my light, my strength, my song


This cornerstone, this solid ground


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm


What heights of love, what depths of peace


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease


My comforter, my all-in-all


Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay


Light of the world by darkness slain


Then bursting forth in glorious day


Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory


Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine


Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me


From life's first cry to final breath


Jesus commands my destiny


No power of hell, no scheme of man


Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Till He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

In Jesus Name

Amen