DEVOTION – DAY 192

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 “Test Yourselves”

2 Cor.13:5-6 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 you will discover that we have not failed the test.

Have you ever wondered if you really are a Christian? If you ever doubted, you are in good company and the apostle Paul in 2 Cor.13:5 tells us that when in doubt – we are to examine and test ourselves. 

There are people who have been brought up since they were babies by Christian parents and being part of a church life has been a tradition for them. Some were baptized infants and they have always assumed they were Christians. Some have always gone to church on Sundays because in their community, everyone went to church on Sundays. But we know that going to church does not make anyone a Christian. Reading the Bible does not make anyone a Christian. Having Christian parents and being baptized when one is an infant does not make us a Christian. The only criteria to be a Christian is to admit we are a sinner, confess our sins and our need for a Savior and believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and that He was raised on the third day, that He is our Lord and Savior. Then, Christ will come and dwell with us by giving us His Spirit. That is what makes a Christian.

How then do we test ourselves? Rom.8:16 says “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” When we are in doubt especially after we have done something wrong and we wonder if we are really a Christian – we can go to the Lord and confess and pray. We can remain still and listen to the Holy Spirit within us and He will testify with our spirit that we are indeed a Christian.” The Bible also tells us in 1 Pet.2:2 that Christians are “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” So, if we have a desire to read the Bible to seek to know God, we have another evidence that we are Christians. And if we have done something that displeases God, and we do not have peace, that is another sign that the Holy Spirit is telling us to confess and repent. 

We met someone recently who thought he was a Christian because he went through infant baptism and he had been brought up in a Christian family. But when we asked him when he began a personal relationship with Jesus, and who Jesus was to Him, he could not answer. To help him to be sure he was a Christian, we shared the gospel message with him supported with Scripture and led him to say the sinner’s prayer. We marvel at how God led us to meet this man.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that guides us and helps us when we have doubts. Thank you for the gift of your Spirit in us that helps us to be more like Christ. Help us to live a life pleasing to you. In the name of the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

Questions

• Have you ever wondered if anyone was a real or fake Christian? Have you ever wondered that about yourself? Discuss.
• What are some ways you will know when someone is a real Christian? Discuss.
• How can you help someone who is unsure about their religious status to be a Christian?