The Truth Is In The Test
When asked about his most important piece of equipment, world renown cyclist Lance Armstrong said, ”My scale” which sounds kind of odd, considering the amount of money that is spent by cyclists on equipment. Then again, it makes good sense when you think about climbing mountains in the Tour de France because even one extra pound can be costly in the amount of extra effort it takes to push the bicycle forward. According to Lance, weighing himself everyday and tracking his weight, gives him the ability to keep his weight under control because he is quick to notice any changes.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Self examination is never an easy thing to do. We want to avoid it like the plague but it is necessary. If you are willing to take an honest view of yourself and see where you need to improve you need to evaluate where you are and decide what needs to change. It’s important in physical conditioning to test from time to time to mark progress or see what changes in training strategy are necessary. It is important in health which is why your doctor orders the tests to get a benchmark of where you are to notice things that are going wrong before they become a major problem. What would happen in your marriage if you took an honest assessment of things? How about your finances? Or – as the verse above says, your life of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ? What does that test say?
Too often people assume because they prayed a prayer they are in line for heaven. It could be, but not if there was not a change in your life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
When a person comes to faith in Christ, there is a change. For some it’s a rapid change and others it’s a process of change, and for all of us it is a lifetime of change but the real change is the desire in the heart to please the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are you doing in the test?
Luke 14:26-27 (ESV) 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33 (ESV) So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Jesus is very clear that to be His follower is not a cheap acknowledgement; rather it’s a submission to Him as Lord and King in every aspect of life.
How are you doing in the test?
Of course for the Christian, the Bible is the most important tool as the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to show us where we are and what needs to change.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, God does not give up on us when we fall behind as we might when we look at the scale and don’t see the changes we would like to see. Rather, God shows us what we need to change in His Word, prompts us to change by the working of the Holy Spirit, who also helps us bring about the changes necessary to our continued journey of sanctification. It’s all about His grace in showing us what we are without Him so we will rely upon Him.
How are you doing in the test?
Like Lance said of his scale, may you be as conscientious about the Word of God and be willing to look into it on a daily basis with the prayer that God will show you what needs to change in your life and pray that God will give you the grace to make those changes to His glory.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
Bob is the pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, Florida. See www.ccpconline.org for church information and listen to Bob’s latest sermons.
FCA Endurance – Clearwater – We have registered and are forming a Clearwater Huddle of the FCA Endurance team. We will be announcing a “start up meeting” in the coming month. Check my website for updates and/or send me an email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please pass the word to athletes in the Clearwater area. For information about FCA Endurance see www.fcaendurance.com .
