NO TEST-TAKERS?

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test."
2 Corinthians 13:5

I am learning that there are some verses that people in the church take seriously, and some verses that seem to fall "under the radar." I am saddened that this verse seems to be more of an "under the radar" verse. And it seems that the root of the fact that this verse rarely pierces the hearts of professing Christians, is the fear of not living up to a standard that the church has set before us.

"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."
Galatians 1:10

The church today (as a whole) would typically respond in a few different ways to someone who would confess a need to test their salvation. Here are a few:
1. Oh dear! You must not have it. Pray this prayer.
2. That's just the enemy trying to distract you by making you doubt.
3. I see tons of fruit in your life. I know you're a Christian.

Could it be that these three types of responses are actually leading the church into an easy-believism, and urging false converts to remain false converts, for fear of gaining the church's disaproval? Hopefully Not...But Possibly So.

A few things to consider:
1. The church is constantly changing, from Corinth to 2009.
2. God desires our obedience to commands, regardless of the approval of men.
3. Would the enemy make someone who really DOES NOT have salvation, doubt their salvation? It would seem as though he's already got them right where he wants them.


Are you confident in your salvation based on what the church says, or what the Word of God says? Be weary of putting your faith in the church, as the church today is very much different than the church 100 years ago, than the church 1,000 years ago, and so on. I would urge professing Christians to be willing to examine themselves, regardless of the impression that it gives. Especially if, in your heart, you know that you are good at "fakin it." Be careful of developing your own definition of how narrow "the narrow way" (Matt 7:13) is, because as I study the text along with the world around me, I'm beginning to see more and more that "the narrow way" could very possibly be even more narrow than we may think. Make sure your words are in line with your heart, and "test yourselves to see if you are in the faith." Eternity is forever. FOR-E-VER.