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NASB | 2 Corinthians 13:5 ¶ 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? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 13:5 ¶ Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit? |
Subject: Test yourselves! Examine yourselves! |
Bible Note: Discipleship, not Orthodoxy. Looking though the list of hypothetical statements, I wonder what the core issue is for the struggling believer. There certainly are some doubts there -- but they are raised at the experiencial level, not about beliefs directly. I think that responding with a list of theological "corrections" could miss the point. Religious people "don't like for anything to challange their beliefs, even if what they believe is ridiculous." -- Hey: I'm a Christian, and I often find the attitudes of Christians embarassing -- and perhaps not embodying the mind of Christ. Some of the questions are more about people than God. "Starting to believe that all of what we believe is just plain crazy." -- It can be fruitless to argue from theology, if the person is questioning that authority. Being part of a faith community, where the gospel is vital and lived, is more convincing. " . . . how can [God] expect us to understand or rejoice at things so foreign to us. Why involve us . . . The Christian life, seems to be marred by "living to die". .. -- Again, I think this needs to be responded to in the "engaged with living" example of Christians. If the community is stiffling and inward looking (as Christians can be), it will fuel this kind of cynicism. If, however, people are genuinely freed by the gospel -- free to love despite societal expectations -- then these questions may desolve. "I dont even know if I'm really saved anymore." -- Is this a theological question of "correct belief" --- or a question of practice? By practice I mean dry prayer life, lack of anwered prayer, alienation from community, withdrawal from servanthood, etc. Often our intellectual questions relate to things much deeper in our hearts. To pound away about orthodoxy, and to miss the real motivating issues, can actually lead to cynicism rather than faith. Sometimes people need discipleship, accountability, and a prayer partner who can stand the ambiguity and questions. "I have felt love for him [God] at various times, but mostly, I felt he hated me, so at times, I have hated him, because I was totally confused." ---See, this is more about emotion than theory. "I do not love God for his majesty. I dont know why or how to. I guess because I originally came to him because I needed help. I didn't get it . . . In all that time, I have seen very little of God. Sometimes, I'm not even sure that he exist. " --- Here, perhaps, is a root issue. The person is expressing disappointment in God -- in unanswered prayer. Combine a sense of God's powerlessness with a sense that Christian community is not functioning well... and there is a powerful ground for doubt. This person needs a true friend to work through this struggle, and the root resentments. When someone has a deep cry of their heart -- and God doesn't appear to be answering -- it is a time for the Christians around to support - indeed carry -- that person through their grief. Peace. (P.S. -- I don't understand why Radioman2's post seems to be listed at different points, under different titles -- so maybe I am missing part of the context here. I hope this post is helpful.) |