“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith…Christ Jesus is in you–unless…you fail the test!

22 “How long will you who are simple [gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil] love your simple ways? How long will fools [they know better, but they don’t care] hate knowledge and mockers [they not only don’t care, they either make fun of or get mad at those who don’t participate with them] delight in mockery?

The opening verse is 2 Corinthians 13:5. It’s an interesting verse because it calls us to do some soul-searching, a bit of introspection. What is the test? That Christ is in us. What does it take to have Christ in us?

1. We believe He is who He says He is. Colossians 1:15-20 tells us that He created all things and holds all things together with His mighty power. The interesting thing is that no one knows why protons and electrons orbit around a nucleus. There is no accounting for the orbit; they are beginning to understand how, but not why. The answer is found in not what, but who: Christ holds all things together. We also have John 10:36-38 where Jesus tells the religious leaders to believe in Him because of His miracles. The miracles attest to the fact that “the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
2. We believe that He did what He said He would do. Colossians 1:21-22 tells us that we were alienated from God and enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior, but Christ reconciled us to God through His death and resurrection. Ephesians 2:1-5 says that we were dead in our sins, slaves of Satan, and slated to be condemned to eternal banishment; we were to reap the consequences of our choices. But, God loves us so much and is so rich in mercy, that He saved us through Jesus Christ. His resurrection means that we die with Him and then are reborn with Him. That’s good news!
3. We believe that He’ll do what He said He would do. Jesus said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and he with me” Revelation 3:19-20. This is the promise of the Son of God! Also, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” Ephesians 2:8-10.

Jesus gave us three things to do:

1. Believe–Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. John 14:11
2. Obey-If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth…you know him, for he lives…in you. John 14:15-17
3. Proclaim-To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I labor with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:27-29

We will talk about proclaiming tomorrow. Right now, let me ask: Did you pass the test? Is Christ in You?

Abba, I pray for my readers that they would know You intimately as their Lord and Savior. You love us so much and You pour out Your mercy on all who trust in You. Thank You for pouring Your love into my heart! Amen.