Examine Your Faith

(2 Corinthians 13:5-8)

When you went to school, (or if you are still attending), there were always tests and examinations to ensure you were competent in the subject being studied. I am sure we all groaned about the litany of pop quizzes, tests and exams when they came along, but they were being done for our good.

Generally, at least in my own experience, as we approached the end of year examinations, we would test our knowledge by doing exams from previous years so we could understand the types of questions likely to be asked. By this process we could examine ourselves to see whether our knowledge was going to be adequate to gain a passing mark, or if we needed to do more work.

Likewise, in the scriptures, we are told in many and various places that we will be tested for the sake of what we believe. But here in 2 Corinthians 13:5-8, we are being told to “test ourselves” and to “examine our faith” to ensure we are holding fast to the truth of the faith that is in Jesus Christ. So let us look at that process and see what needs to be done to meet the test.

How Do We Examine Our Faith?

In this scripture it is evident that Paul is trying to provide some methods by which we can test ourselves and examine our faith.

The most noteworthy comment in this regard is to look at what you are doing. Verse 7 in this section of scripture says:

”But we pray God that you may not do wrong–not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.” (2 Corinthians 13:7)

Note what Paul has said here. To be holding fast to your faith requires you to be doing what is right, and by right he means to be acting in accordance with what you believe. That is how you test your faith.

If you believe something but do the opposite or do not follow through on what you believe, then you are not holding fast to your faith. In fact if you do not do what you believe, then you are being a hypocrite who says or believes one thing, but does something else…and NOBODY likes a hypocrite, especially God.

So the first thing you must do is to ensure that whatever it is you believe, you must do.

But there is an even deeper part to this point, because it is not enough to just be doing what you believe, you must be doing what is right.

What Is Right?

How do we determine what is right? What is the measuring stick for right and wrong?

To be doing right we must be acting in accordance with what is right in the sight of God. Many people believe they are doing right in their own eyes, but that does not mean it is right in the sight of God. Many people consider right and wrong from the perspective of what society determines to be right or wrong, but there are many things that our society calls right or calls good, that are utterly opposed by the words of God and are in fact heinous sins.

Righteousness

As servants of God and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must learn the difference between right and wrong in God’s eyes and so act.

Where can we learn these things? Through the reading, absorbing and understanding of the word of God in the Bible.

We need to understand the truth of the gospel of salvation and come to an understanding of the fullness of the New Covenant as brought into effect by Jesus Christ Himself. There is only one way this will happen and that is to study His word and learn from Him.

Furthermore, the words of God cannot be easily understood by just any man. God’s word is spiritual and that is why He promised to give us the Holy Spirit if we come to Him and ask. The Spirit will then open the words of the bible to us individually to understand right from wrong from the viewpoint of God.

Let me put it this way. How can we do what is right if we do not know what is right? And look at what John said:

“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)

You cannot be righteous unless you are doing what is right. And you cannot do what is right unless you have been trained in what is right, built on the words of the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Test Yourselves

So test yourself and see, are you holding fast to your faith and is what you are believing the truth of what is right?

Are you being taught by God through the working of the Holy Spirit? Do you blindly accept the teachings of men, even the priests, pastors or ministers of a church, or do you test what they have to say against the teachings of the bible to ensure what they are teaching is indeed accurate?

These things are important if we are truly seeking the salvation of God that He gave us through Jesus Christ. As Christians we all want to enter into the kingdom of God, but entry will only be gained if we play according to the rules God set down through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” (John 10:9)

There will be no sneaking in to the kingdom of God by climbing in through a window. The ONLY entry into the kingdom is by going through the door, which is Jesus Christ, and if you do not know how to enter by the door, then you better learn quickly so that you can gain the full knowledge of the truth.

So test yourselves and examine your faith. Are you entering by the door, who is Jesus Christ? Do you understand what it means to enter by the door who is Jesus Christ?

If you are unsure, please feel free to comment and ask or drop me a note via email and we can discuss this further or to just let me know your thoughts on this important matter.

You might also like:

Hold Fast To What Is Good
Sending Seventy
Hold Fast To What Is Good
Beware Of False Prophets And False Teachers
Paying Taxes To Caesar
Woe To You Scribes And Pharisees Hypocrites
You Shut The Kingdom Of Heaven Against Men
Woe To You Blind Guides
Straining Out A Gnat And Swallowing A Camel
Trouble For The End Times Church
Dissension In The Church
Warning For The Servants Of God
Traditions Of The Elders
No Shortcuts
Blind Leading The Blind
A House Built Upon The Rock
Have You Been Hurt By The Church
Once Saved Always Saved
Beware Of The Scribes
Do Not Be Led Astray
When God Is Your Teacher
Who Are You Learning From
There Will Be No Sneaking In
Taught By Jesus
Who Should You Listen To
Contrasting Gospels

John

Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.