Dear reader, my prayers are for you, and with you today as you plunge into this devotion seeking God. It is with an anxious and loving heart that I present today’s challenge.
In looking at James chapter two, we have noted three different kinds of faith. Dead Faith, Demonic Faith, and Dynamic Faith. If you wish to read those, go to my archives page. We know that dynamic faith is the kind of faith that will bring true salvation and entrance into Heaven one day. Yet, I’m afraid many have been deceived, and believe they are saved but are not.
In James chapter two he emphasizes that the mature Christian practices the truth. He does not lean on mere intellectual doctrines, he lives them out in the deeds that he does every day. It is vital to our eternal destiny to determine if we are passing the test for true salvation. I can think of no greater tragedy than to stand before God one day thinking everything is ok, and then hear him say “depart from me I never knew you.” Unfortunately, according to scripture, this will happen to many. Don’t allow pride, fear, or ignorance, to guide you into deception. Take the time to test yourself, and make sure you are right. Most of us get a yearly check-up for our physical condition why not have a spiritual check-up? It’s far more important than any other check-up!
Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Ask yourself these questions.
- Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner, and admitted this to myself and to God?
- Was there a time when I was afraid of the end result of my sins, enough that I was ready to do something about it?
- Do I truly understand the Gospel? I am a sinner, I have sinned against a Holy God. Do I believe Jesus, God’s perfect Son, died for my sins and rose again? Do I realize I am powerless to save myself?
- Did I sincerely repent, which means, to turn away from my sins? I turn from my sins to Christ. Or do I secretly love, and want to enjoy it? Do I make the excuse that “everybody sins, and nobody’s perfect?” Do I make excuses for sin by not recognizing them as sin? Or, do I hate sin and fear God?
- Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Christ plus nothing! It is not of my works or anything I do! Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the word and in the Spirit?
- Has there been an evident change in my life? Do I maintain good works, because of my love and gratitude, or are they occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of God? Anything that is not growing is dying! Can others tell I have been with Jesus?
- Do I have the desire to share Jesus with others? Or am I ashamed of Him? Do I consider myself a silent disciple, and use the excuse, “I don’t need words, I’ll just let my life show them.”
- Do I have a hunger for the Word of God? A hunger will result in studying and meditating on His word.
- Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Am I putting other things and activities aside to be in the house of God faithfully? Seeking to be there for every service. Is worship a delight to me?
- Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Read I Thessalonians 4:15-5:4
- Does the Lord have control of my calendar and my checkbook? Think deeply about this one.
These may be hard questions, but it is far better to answer them here and now than when you stand before God. All of us have plenty of room to grow. The process of sanctification starts when you experience justification, and ends when you die. We all have a different degree of maturity. These questions are designed to help us determine our true standing before God. I pray that you will take some time with these. It would be a good thing to print, and from time to time pull them out, see where you are, and compare your answers to where you were when you first took the test.
The Psalmist said it so well in Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
