“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will discover that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not so that we may appear to have passed, but that you may do what is right, even if we may seem to have failed.”
All things of real value are tested to prove they are genuine.
When you hand a £20 note to a cashier, it’s held under a special light to confirm it is real.
In the Philippines, before modern scanning systems were used, bank tellers had another method for checking dollar bills. They would hold the note up to the light and study the fine details of the portrait. One curious customer once asked a teller how she could be so sure. She smiled and replied, “If the hair of the man in the picture is not combed properly, the dollar is fake.”
We expect everything of worth to be tested.
A faith that is never tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians remind us that self-examination is part of genuine discipleship. He urges us to test ourselves—to see if Christ truly lives in us. Real faith is not measured by outward appearances but by a life that reflects the character of Jesus.
Paul’s prayer is not for his own approval, but for the Corinthians’ integrity: that they would turn from wrongdoing and choose what is right, so that their lives might prove genuine in Christ, whatever others may think of him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Search my heart and reveal anything that resists Your will.
Refine my thoughts and actions, that I may walk in honesty, love, and grace.
Let the life of Jesus shine through me,
and may all I do bring honour and glory to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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