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The Exam - June 01, 2006
2 Corinthians 13:5-14
I like to take tests. Give me a standardized achievement test rather than busy work any day. Once I've learned something, I really don't like to go over it repeatedly. I have always tended to respond to tests better than to daily work. Testing never seems to makes me feel nervous or intimidated. I learned in college that one of the best ways I could study for a class was to make a test up of the material I thought I should know. If I could ask myself the same questions the teacher was going to ask me, then the test seemed easy and I was prepared.
Paul encouraged the wayward Corinthians to do the same thing. He was planning a visit to their town and he wanted them to deal with some things before he got there. He represented a major exam to them. Paul felt his job was, in part, to get them ready for their final exam when they would stand before Jesus. So to prepare he exhorted them, "Test yourselves." (verse 5). Do some self-examination. Ask yourself questions that Jesus might ask you if you had to stand in front of Him today. How have you used your time? What have you said today that you shouldn't have? Who have you shared the Gospel with lately? A pre-test with the resulting focus and changes will make you more prepared for Christ's return.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich: mike@in-his-steps.com Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
2 Corinthians 13:5-14
I like to take tests. Give me a standardized achievement test rather than busy work any day. Once I've learned something, I really don't like to go over it repeatedly. I have always tended to respond to tests better than to daily work. Testing never seems to makes me feel nervous or intimidated. I learned in college that one of the best ways I could study for a class was to make a test up of the material I thought I should know. If I could ask myself the same questions the teacher was going to ask me, then the test seemed easy and I was prepared.
Paul encouraged the wayward Corinthians to do the same thing. He was planning a visit to their town and he wanted them to deal with some things before he got there. He represented a major exam to them. Paul felt his job was, in part, to get them ready for their final exam when they would stand before Jesus. So to prepare he exhorted them, "Test yourselves." (verse 5). Do some self-examination. Ask yourself questions that Jesus might ask you if you had to stand in front of Him today. How have you used your time? What have you said today that you shouldn't have? Who have you shared the Gospel with lately? A pre-test with the resulting focus and changes will make you more prepared for Christ's return.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich: mike@in-his-steps.com Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
