HAVE YOUR READINESS ASSESSED' / 'LET GOD TEST YOU
In the book of John 5:6 Jesus asks the question of a man who had been paralyzed all of his life if he wanted to be healed? On the surface that seems like a strange thing to ask someone who has had a lifetime of misery because of such an ailment, and yet that question is being put to each one of us who continue to suffer the sin-filled environment we live in daily? DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?
For most, that question is borderline stupid, and yet God does not listen to what we say to Him as much as He reads the intent of our heart. When Jesus asked Peter " Do you love me?" He had a real purpose for it. Peter did not understand why Jesus would ask the same question three times...not at first at least, not until it was made clear to Peter what Christ was asking him. We are quick to yell and cheer someone on who is doing a high wire act until we are asked to join them by participating in the act. because that is when we are called on to test our faith by taking personal action.
At almost every turn in scripture, God tells us that at some point our faith will be tested to see what quality it is. Jesus tells us all of the time to be on guard for the deceit of men who continually try to make areas of our faith in Christ; which are very simple and straight forward to become filled with grey areas that lead us to things that do not matter. I find that whenever a question is asked about our commitment to Christ a question is raised about something that leads away from concentration on that subject. Quite frankly, we need to be made to stick to the question at hand; and that question is
" Are you willing to stand and to give an account for what you believe and why?" Are you on guard and watching for false prophets and teachers? Or are you willing to take whatever is given to you? God literally calls us to allow ourselves to be tested in this way so that we can grow stronger in our faith. God is starting to call us to test our faith and resolve to follow Christ. The church wants to ignore those teachings to prepare for the enemy to attack us from all sides and to be on guard and to watch for the deceit of men who have been planted by the enemy to lead you astray.
As we build on the foundations of Christ's teachings we need to realize the cost to us in this life to do that. and be prepared to meet those expenses. There are many today who are building on the foundation that Christ has laid without counting the cost of what they do. That is very dangerous indeed. If we do not use the right or the very best materials we have all will be tested by the same fire, and could easily be burnt up. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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