Day 93

We will finish today looking at 2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" We examine the phrase "how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" The whole purpose of this verse concludes with a simple test. Albert Barnes NT Commentary said of this last section: "The simple idea is, that they might know that they were Christians, unless their religion was such as would not stand the test, or was worthless." In the same way you might test a coin to see if it is counterfeit, you are to test your Christian life by how it stands the test of life.

Remember Peter and John on their way to pray in Acts 3; they met the lame man and said "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I to you." They had something to give. What do we have to give today? We don't want to offer a program or a catchy phrase or even an emotional uplifting experience. We must offer the reality of the transforming power of Jesus Christ as seen in the living of our lives. The way we face adversity and crisis demonstrates we have something supernatural. It means that our faith stands the test of life. This is what Paul was referring to; this is what Barnes is explaining to us by his commentary.

In Christ we have something very real; it makes a difference in our lives. Our commission is to take what we have received from Jesus Christ and take it to others so that they can see the power of the Gospel to transform theirs. And, it all starts with letting the Word sanctify you (that is clean you up). John 17:17 says: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Today, get in the Word and allow it to clean you by applying it to your life. When you do, you will be passing the test of 2 Corinthians 13:5!