"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? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down." 2 Corinthians 13:5-10

I'd like to spend this week examining this scripture in detail.  Let's start with the first part:  "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."  What a great piece of advice this is!!  It reminds me of Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit in me."  KJV  If we are not consistently examining our faith, inviting God to examine us, don't you think that means we have something to be afraid of?

Why are we afraid to challenge ourselves, or even worse, to be challenged by others?  I wonder if deep down it's because we don't know God well enough to be able to examine Him and His impact in our lives.  Sometimes we fall into a rut of faith.  We do the same things we always done, in the same way, at the same time, but never stop to think about why we are still doing them.  Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  But it doesn't say that WE are the same.  The fact that WE change is a good thing.  The fact that HE doesn't is a GREAT thing!

Years ago, when I was in college, I was in a Bible study on the book of Revelations.  (Shout out to Karen Wenger for that time in my life.  Holla!!)  She brought in a friend who was extremely knowledgeable about this area, and this friend pointed out that there are different times of dispensation throughout history.  These dispensations, or ages (see Ephesians 3:1-5, especially the New King James Version), are marked by increased knowledge by man about God.  In other words, there are things we understand and see clearly now that we might not have seen clearly in another age.

The fulfillment of the law by Jesus Christ is a perfect example of this.  Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to enforce it.  Read . . . I don't know, all of the gospels if you are unsure about this!  Though many didn't understand it at the time, we understand this now.  We understand that a menstruating woman doesn't need to be purified, or live in a tent by herself for a week or two (although some men may appreciate that!).  Many biblical scholars believe there are seven dispensations throughout history (seven is the perfect number, remember), and we are now in the sixth.

Now, I say all that because the faith you have now is hopefully not the same faith you had a year ago.  Or two years ago.  Or ten years ago.  And so on.  Because, as you grow in the faith, your knowledge of God increases, your love for Him grows to encompass that love, and as a result your convictions, standards, and beliefs grow and change. 

Say you were a smoker when you got saved.  You fell in love with Jesus, and for awhile you still smoked, because you didn't know it was harmful for your spiritually, as well as physically.  Then the pastor introduces you to a new scripture, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:  "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."  You have an aha! moment - your knowledge has changed, and now you have a choice to make with what you know.

As we grow, we should consistently check our thoughts, actions and attitudes against the scripture.  Why would we want to struggle in those areas?  When the Holy Spirit is working on you - let Him!  We want so much of God, so why not give Him more and more of us?

Are you willing to examine your faith, and test it before God's eyes?  Are you willing to check your thoughts, actions and attitudes against the scripture?  Do it today, and I promise you - God may ask you for something difficult, but the rewards will be great - and eternal.  And you know what else?  You'll never regret it.

See you tomorrow!  Keep blazing!