Life is a Test

A Series on the letter of 1 John
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
1 John 4 

[The author of this letter is John. Prior to being a disciple of Jesus, he was a fisherman with a reputation for his bad temper. In fact, he and his brother were called the “Sons of Thunder”. But he was also known as “the one whom Jesus loved”. In this letter, John shares that same love with us.]

  

Tests are expected in school. You learn a section on fractions… it’s followed by a test. You learn how to spell three syllable words… it’s followed by a test. You learn about World War II… it’s followed by a test. Tests are a way to find out if you actually learned the material, and what you need to work on.

 

Sometimes a test can be scary. This is especially true in college where your whole grade could very well depend on just two tests: a midterm and a final. If you have a bad day or miss the final, like I did once, your grade for the quarter or semester could drop dramatically.

 

Chapter four of 1 John is about tests. However, the result of John’s tests wouldn’t just impact a short period of your life, but your eternal life. Talk about scary!

 

During the first century, there were people who at one point had claimed to believe in Jesus, but then went astray. They didn’t believe that Jesus came in the flesh, only in the spirit. John warned the believers to be wary of these false prophets and gave them a way to test a person’s beliefs.

 

² This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. ³ But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God…      NLT

 

This was a test about truth, but John also gave the believers a test about character based on the character of God’s love. His love for us and our love for him is exemplified by how we treat others.

 

²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?                         NLT

 

John was known as “the one who Jesus loved”. He didn’t earn that love. In fact, like the other disciples, he deserted Jesus when he was crucified. But Jesus gives his love freely and unconditionally. Even when it is undeserved. Even at our worst moment.

 

⁹ God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.           NLT

 

Life is a test. John faced them. First century Christians faced them. We face them. Those tests may come in the form of what you believe or how you treat others. But they may also come through an illness, an accident, a broken relationship, an addiction, problems at work… anywhere that life happens.

 

So the question for you and me is, “How will we respond”? Will your love for God strengthen or weaken? Will you learn from your tests and grow in your faith? John gives his own personal answer with these words.

 

¹⁶ We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. ¹⁷ And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.                     NLT

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams

 

 

 

Do You Measure Up?

The Life of Jesus Series

How Jesus interacted with others.

Mark 10:17-31

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A17-31&version=NIV;NLT

 

We all try to measure up to the expectations of somebody or something or even ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For instance, I’ve always looked up to my older brother. For one thing, he’s 6 feet 6 inches tall. He also has a PhD in chemistry. In addition, he has an amazing vocabulary and a tremendous capacity for retention. I don’t measure up to any of these.

 

The rich young ruler was focused on the goal of measuring up. On the outside, he appeared to be a sincere seeker. He ran up to Jesus and knelt down before him. He confessed that he had kept the laws since he was a boy. He knew how to look good; how to have the appearance of righteousness. But he also knew that he wasn’t righteous. Then, Jesus broke his heart.

 

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.       NIV

 

What about the disciples? Were they any better than the rich young ruler?

 

Jesus said, ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”… ²⁸ Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”             NIV

 

Ah yes. Leave it to Peter to say what all the rest of the disciples were thinking. “Hey what about us? We’re better than that young guy you just turned away Jesus! We gave up everything to follow you.”

 

The disciples felt entitled. The rich young ruler felt entitled. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we feel entitled. In this context, feeling entitled is an attempt to earn eternal life; to measure up to God’s perfection. But we can’t!

 

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone… ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”      NIV

 

We can’t measure up to the goodness of God. We can’t reach that goal of being righteous on our own. We can’t inherit eternal life by outward obedience.

 

Thankfully, through God’s grace, He meets us where we’re at and loves us enough to tell us the truth. Then, it’s up to us to follow Him and accept the gift that only He can give.