DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE TEST OF GENUINE FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE TEST OF GENUINE FAITH

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified." (II Corinthians 13:5-6)

The test of faith. This is a difficult passage. Isn't faith in Christ just acknowledging Him as Savior? Isn't that the test of faith? That is certainly a part of our faith – receiving Jesus as Savior and confessing it to others.

But Paul seems to take it one step further. Knowing that Christ lives in us is the assurance that our faith is genuine. In another place Paul wrote: "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16). And in another place, he wrote, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (I Corinthians 3:16). Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The Holy Spirit gives us an inner assurance that Christ lives in us.

The word "disqualified" is a curious word. The King James translates it as "reprobate." That may be a harsh word. In the Greek, the word is adokimos and it means "not standing the test" or "unapproved." It was properly used in testing metal or coins. We would call it "assaying" gold to determine whether it was real gold or fool's gold. Money is tested to see if it is real or counterfeit. When you buy something at a store and use a $20.00 bill, the cashier will hold it up to the light to see the markings or mark it with a black marker to determine if it is real or fake and worthless. The Apostle says, "Test your faith." Make sure that it is real and valid – not just some empty or worthless notion.

Knowing that Christ abides in us gives assurance that our faith is real and valid, and not counterfeit. The assurance of Christ in our lives will stand the test. You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.

Love, Dad