Faith That Is Tested

November 3, 2019 Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1 – 11 Lesson Passage: 2 Corinthians 13:1 – 11 Someone once opined, A faith that has not been tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. I don’t know if that is true or not. But what I do know is, once you have been through a trying situation, one in which you had to depend on God, you learn something about yourself and what true faith in God is all about. I am convinced that God can always be trusted—with small things and large ones. However, I am also convinced that as human beings, we like to use our brain to solve our own problems. Even when we know that we are not well-informed about a specific situation, we would rather “figure it out” than depend on God for help. That is what I believe is in mind when the scriptures speak of “boastings of the flesh”. We put too much confidence in ourselves. Human flesh seeks to live by its own moral code in opposition to the just laws of God. In today’s lesson, Paul challenged the Corinthian congregation to examine themselves to be sure they were living in faith rather than ignoring Christ in them. Paul stated clearly that he was addressing the issue of some of them living in sin and yet professing to be believers in Christ. He also acknowledged that some of them considered him to be weak because of how he presented himself to them in the past. The proof of Paul’s strength would be seen through Christ speaking to them through him. Paul would seek to justify himself to them in no other way than to allow Christ to speak through him. The real question was not his strength or weakness but whether Christ was truly in them. To this, Paul stated that they would have to examine themselves for the answer. The only proof that a person has been qualified for eternal life is the indwelling spirit of Christ in them. His prayer for them was that they would live lives of righteousness. Even if Paul appeared to some of them to not be approved by God, he did not want that to hinder them. They should live honorable lives in spite of how he appeared to them. Paul found joy in seeing their spiritual growth even if he appeared to be weak to them. Paul wanted his ministry to be one that built up rather than rebuked them. Paul had been entrusted with great power as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He did not want that authority to be used in a negative way because of the stubbornness of some of them. Apostles were given authority that would cause heaven to honor their decisions. If an apostle remitted people’s sins, then heaven accepted it. If an apostle caused people to be judged for their sins, then heaven would honor that. Paul was clear that he would rather humble himself than cause a person to suffer. He was seeking their spiritual growth, which would lead to spiritual maturity in them. The end being singleness of mind within the congregation, lives of peace, and the continuous presence of God with them. This passage of scripture should challenge believers today. Are we living lives today that exhibit faith towards God? Or, are we simply going through the motions and not growing spiritually at all? Are congregations today moving towards singleness of mind and lives of peace? Depending on how we answer these questions, it may be time to examine ourselves—individually. Has your faith been tested lately? Robert C. Hudson October 11, 2019