The most important examination

 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves - that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5. 

I remember well the late night cram sessions before my college finals. Sure, I had all semester to learn, but the urgency of the moment was not quite yet. Thus the need for the "midnight oil" was poignant. Of course, the finals came, and they went. By the next day I am not sure how much knowledge I retained, but at least I had passed the test. 

My college years are way behind me, but there is one more exam I must face. At the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10-11), Jesus will ask me what I have done with what I've been given. There will be no grace here. I will be rewarded. or chastised, based on what I have done. Thus the urgency of the question. 

So just how does a man examine himself to see if he is in the faith? First of all, this is a private matter, only between him and God. No one else is responsible for his life. Second, we are ALL blind to our faults. No man can know his own heart perfectly. Thus the Psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24 asks, "Search me God and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead in the way everlasting". I cannot claim to have an exhaustive knowledge of the questions that will be on our final exams, but I do have some ideas from Scripture. 

1. What is the fruit of my life? Do I look like Galatians 5:22? Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance? Or is Galatians 5:19 more true of me? 

2. Is my life all about me, or am I a vessel for His Glory? Is my god my belly, am I an enemy of the cross of Christ, or is my conversation in heaven (Philippians 3:19-20)?

3. Have I passed from death unto life, as evidenced by my love for others (I John 3:14)? 

4. Is my identity found in external things such as possessions, jobs, titles and other things of this world, or am I content to only know Jesus Christ and Him crucified (I Corinthians 2:2), only identifying as a vessel meet for the Master's use (2 Timothy 2:21)? 

Only our Savior knows the answers to these questions. If we ask Him, He will guide us and show us the way of life. The final exam is coming. Let us pray that we be found worthy.