The Tests we Take

Testing ourselves

Posing the question

What would Jesus Do

As an individual test of where we are

So many times in my life, I am confronted with a situation or an opportunity that gives me a snap shot in time as to where I am currently with Christ. I know that the Holy Spirit resides within me when I am not living in the flesh but instead in the spirit. it convicts me and guides me. However, there are times when the option lies with us. We make the decision on just how we will react or behave in a given situation. Someone may be pushing our buttons. Traffic may tempt us to speak strictly from a flesh-based perspective. A friend or associate may request our assistance. All of these are examples of the situations in our lives we can use to test our faith and see how strong our relationship is with God. The first step in any of these is to be able to apply the brakes to any sudden or impulsive behavior. If we act on impulse, then we have already failed the test. If our walk is so advanced that our impulse is to act in the faith then you are there. You pass. Nevertheless, I speak from a more humble point of view. I am in no way the guru on the mountainside telling grasshopper how to channel his energies into something positive. I am a struggling Christian, in many ways just like you and in more ways just like me, for my walk is unique to who I am just as your walk with Christ is your own.

    This lesson is for those of us who are still flawed at times and still growing as Christians.

 I have at times slowed my roll and taken a deep breath In order to get a handle on the current situation I find myself. Then I remember the verse, where Paul tells us to “Test yourselves” and I give myself an internal smile, knowing this is an opportunity to pass the test. God’s Holy Spirit comes to life at these times and guides our words our thoughts our reactions to the world around us. For me it is this period or this moment where I either pass or fail. I reply to the world around me with a mindset of “what would Jesus do?” and as perfect as he is, I try to emulate that behavior. I give, where the flesh would not, I forgive where the flesh could not, I smile where the flesh would frown, I help where the flesh would stare, I praise or apologize where the flesh would criticize or curse.

Many are the times that we have in our daily lives to see where we are with God and the faith. We at times profess our belief with our lips and then act as the flesh would demonstrate.

 This hypocritical behavior is the worst thing we could demonstrate to a nonbeliever thinking on the faith. We must always pass the test. If not for ourselves, then for our family, for our agnostic friends, for those around us who wonder just what a Christian has in his heart.

I know I am flawed and I will always seek opportunities to grow in Christ. I know there are times the flesh has pushed the Spirit aside and taken over and I have no clue.

 If you ask me I will tell you, I am Christian and that the Spirit convicts me and guides me. My behavior must reflect that. I know John Calvin told us our salvation does not lie in our works but is given by God’s grace. Nevertheless, as the word tells us in the book of James, faith without works is dead. I do not want a dead faith.

 I want an active faith and my ability to test that faith will produce the works needed to pass that test. We all are works in progress and I speak for myself most definitely. I have struggles daily in my walk and I wish my walk were more in the Spirit than it is in the flesh. I am aware of it. Meaning I am aware of the power of the flesh in my life.  I pray to God and the Holy Spirit to give me the strength to pass those tests I place upon myself. I feel I fail more than I pass and I desire to pass every one. I want God to know above all else, that I am trying as best I can to make him greater and myself weaker within my core. The scripture tells us more than once that God knows our hearts. He knows what I say to you today is true and he takes it all as a public prayer from me to him.

 We all should aspire to pass the test. It is what defines us as Christians. Being saved and having our salvation given to us by grace is one thing but after receiving that grace we must push ourselves to live in the spirit and pass that test.

Therefore, I close today with a request for all of you. It is not a homework assignment or some practical exercise to make you feel smarter than you thought you were. The request is throughout your daily lives, whenever the opportunity presents itself, be cognizant of the test. That chance to gauge where you are in your faith. Answer the call. Pass the test.