Faith Exam

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

There is a tragic occurrence that is taking place in churches and in the lives of individuals all over. The travesty is the doubts and fears that plague the people of God concerning their faith. When we have doubts and fears concerning our faith it really disrupts our relationship with God. Doubts and fears rob us of our joy and peace.  Joy and peace are the gifts of the Spirit that comes from an affirmed relationship with our Heavenly Father. I want to encourage you to take this seriously and exam yourself so that you can settle things with God and become steadfast in your faith. A child of God that is secure in their faith is a person who walks by faith and not by site. They enjoy and depend upon the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that empowers them for everyday life. A secure Christian is faithful and all in for the Kingdom of God.
I want to give you a three-question exam to exam yourself by. I encourage you to be honest with yourself with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and affirm your faith. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to renewing and restoring your relationship with God. Life today is hard enough; we need God present and in charge of our lives so that we are not overcome by the tribulations of life. Please consider these three observations that Jesus left us with to affirm our commitment to Him;

1. Who do you love? - John 13:34-35,                                                                                             34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
   35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.             Jesus is telling us that when we are in relationship with Him we will take on His nature and character. There will be a desire for God and for Godly things. Our hearts will be given to love as our Savior's is.
2. What fruits are evident? - Matthew 7:20,                                                                                        20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.                                                                         Children of God will bring forth fruits in their lives. There will be a desire for prayer, church, service, and nurturing our faith. If these simple things are not of importance, then we need to take a deep inventory of our Spiritual condition. When fruits are present, they help us to overcome the troubles of this world. 
3.  What is the level of sincerity? - Matthew 16:24,                                                                            24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.                                                                                             Jesus brought grace into this world and offers it to all who will receive. The whole key to receiving God's grace is the sincerity of response to Him. There is no magic prayer or religious ceremony that can obtain God's favor in our lives. Jesus loves us and saves us by grace. The only thing required of us is to respond in sincerity. God sees the hearts of everyone.

It is important for us to nurture our faith continually. Doubts and fears wreak havoc in our lives. Live your life with full assurance of your salvation and relationship with our Lord and Savior. If these questions are challenging, then get alone with God settle things for one and all.

Pastor Tommy