Life Is A Test

The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. (Deuteronomy 13:3-4)

How do you see your life today? If you see it as a race, you will highly value speed and likely be in a hurry everywhere you go. If you see it as a party, you will highly value pleasure and only be satisfied when you are having fun. Make no mistake, the vision that rules your heart shapes your life, and that is why it is critical to see life from God’s perspective. And why would we not? He is the One who created life and is sustaining all of it.

We see from the very beginning of human history with Adam and Eve in the Garden that God has ordained life to be a test. God tested our first parents with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

We all know that Adam and Eve failed their test. But God did not leave them in their failure; He promised to send a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15), because a failed test would not be the end of their story. And it is never the end of our story either! Throughout Scripture we read words like “trials,” “refining,” and “testing” over and over again, giving us great insight as to how we are to view the life we are living before the face of God.

God gives us tests to build our character and strengthen our faith. Some tests come in the form of sickness and disease. Other tests come in the form of difficulties at the office or in our relationships. Still other tests come in the form of persecution for our faith in Jesus. But regardless of when, where, and how God tests us, each test is designed to deepen our dependence on Jesus and to teach us to walk by faith and not by sight.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

How has God been testing you lately? How have you been doing with that test? Remember, falling isn’t failure unless you fail to get up. And please remember this: You have passed the most important test in life – your final exam, if you will – if you are trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. His sinless life, atoning death, and supernatural resurrection are the door to eternal life for all those who believe that when He cried out from the cross, “It is accomplished,” He meant what He said. He paid the price for your salvation in full. Let these words be an encouragement as you face every test God sends your way.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!