the test

so 2 corinthians 13. paul wants us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.

Paul has been battling for the people of Corinth's attention throughout the letter and not only that but also has been battling for the people themselves.

so Paul in this last chapter wants the people to see that they must examine themselves in the faith. that if they do that they will see Paul as he truly is a messenger of truth.

he says that when they examine themselves and when they past the test they will also approve of Paul and the group of ministers with him and reject the outsiders.

now this should be evidence enough but Paul also tells them to do the right thing? why would he do this knowing that if they examine themselves in the Spirit that God would show them that Paul is right and he cares for them and his message is from God.

why would he ask them to do the right thing? well number one it would be weird if he asked them to do the wrong thing. but we see Paul's heart here. the consequences of them saying Paul we don't think that you are of God is not as important as the people doing what is right.

are we worried about the consequences of what people will think of us or do we really really want the best of them. did it bother Paul i think that you can tell that it did throughout this letter but Paul remained true to his purpose. To see God do a work in the Corinthians lives.

is that my passion? could i honestly say that i am more worried about people learning from me than the circumstances of my actions. honestly no i can't but i can tell you boldly that my response is changing. And that is all an act of God.

God is shaping me to serve others to obey even when it makes me upset and to live a life as an example for Christ. see is it enough to teach excellently and for people to hear my words and learn from them....i guess it is.

But do people look at my lifestyle and see that i live up to the things that i teach that i am an example not just through speech but through purity deed and service.

i am learning these things. I know that God is moving in my midst. I pray that everyone would carefully read Galatians 5. This involves the test that Paul so earnestly desires that we take.

realize these two things:

it is a continuous battle (Gal. 5:17)

and

that it is not a negotiated peace it is our execution of the sinful nature totally
(Gal. 5:24)

it is our responsibility to walk in the Spirit and also to crucify the flesh

the battle will not end in this life and yet we cannot negotiate peace with the flesh.

we must fight

out