A good test taker

1 John 2:3-6

Have you read the Scripture that says to “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?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)  I’ve always been poor at taking tests, but what is the apostle Paul using to examine oneself: You might say the Bible, and that would be true, but what if we reduce it to the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5, 6, 7, and the fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22,23.  A warning is needed; you may do well when taking a test, but what does that mean, you may perform well, you may give to the poor, you may help widows and orphans, you may even teach a Bible study or be a pastor of a local church, but this test goes much deeper than your performance, it is a test of the attitude of your heart. 

Jesus’ encounter with a young rich man who was a good test taker, and this is what he asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life.”  Jesus replied to the young man, “Why do you ask me about what is good?  There is only one who is good.  If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”  (Matthew 19:16-17)  Now with that said, we have come full circle back to 1 John 2:3-6, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.  Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.  By this we may be sure that we are in him:  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

Many, I fear are like that young rich man, full of self, wanting to earn what is free, but not wanting what will bring about death.  Death to living life independent from the authority of God, and obeying His handbook on how to live life victorious on planet earth.  The young man wanted a list of rules and when Jesus gave him a list of commands he pridefully reported he had passed the test, but do not forget, Jesus looks past your performance into your heart.  In this young mans heart was his stuff, he had lots of good stuff, his stuff was more important than having a relationship with the Lord, so he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Now it is important to understand John is not talking to someone like this rich young man, he is addressing the Christian, and it is a bottom line message; “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.”  (1John 2:4-5)  Many who go by the name Christian, have no understanding of what Jesus is saying, many ignore these words of John, but it is a wise person who examines himself or herself.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice