“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 Cor 13:5).
“In a context that emphasizes the need for proper Christian action (12:20-21; 13:7), the most satisfactory option is to take ‘the faith’ in a broad sense as referring to Christian conduct that accords with Christian doctrine. That is, ‘being in the faith’ means continuing true to the faith in conduct as well as in belief. An emphasis on conduct is suggested by the following unqualified ‘test yourselves’ when it is read in the light of Gal 6:4, ‘let each man test his own work.’ For the Corinthian believers the main ‘work’ that would demonstrate their true ‘faith’ was obedience (cf. ‘the obedience that springs from faith,’ Rom 1:5; 16:26), obedience to Paul and to the gospel he proclaimed (2:9; 10:6),” M. J. Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Eerdmans 2005), 920.
Are you passing the test?
ReplyDeleteIf you think that you are...you aren't.
The Pharisee and the publican.
It depends on whether you're taking the right test.
ReplyDeleteThe Pharisee took the "Am I behaving myself enough" test. And he failed.
The publican took the "Am I throwing myself onto the mercy of God if there is to be any hope for me" test. And he passed with flying colours.
You know, as a recent commer to the Calvinistic understanding of Scripture, probably the most significant thing it has done for me, is given me the right test to take.
No only am I passing. But in the very taking, the test brings me back to the gospel, where I find life and rest.
THEOLDADAM SAID:
ReplyDelete"Are you passing the test? If you think that you are...you aren't. The Pharisee and the publican."
So you don't care what St. Paul says. Luther is your true Bible. Luther trumps the Apostles!