Passing the Test

4.13.2011

2 Corinthians 13:5 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? NIV

There are fallacies in life; there are things that are plain old wrong and then there are things that eventually prove wrong. We may choose a path of thinking only to get down the way a ways and realize our thinking was the wrong way. Keynesian economics comes to mind; so does a woman’s ‘right’ to choose. Often, unfortunately, we may have chosen a path and traveled so far down that path only to find that a course of correction is too painful, and so we, in fear, continue down that path perpetually justifying our choice. Being in a cult comes to mind.

I remember those little signs that people put in their car windows that said, “Baby on Board.” Like we were all supposed to see those signs and somehow give the car with the sign in it a wider birth because it had such precious cargo in it. Somehow babies always seem to be more special that anyone else; except of course in cases of rape, incest, or unwanted, unplanned parenthood. It seems a political ploy these days is to do something and justify it because it benefits “at risk” kids. Aren’t all kids, at risk? Aren’t there people everywhere who would take advantage of our kids (McDonalds, Mattel, Disneyland, The US Department of Education)?

Within the last decade or so we’ve had in the Church a, “What Would Jesus Do?” kind of fad. Sounds good; implies we ought to read our Bibles and investigate what Jesus did, so that we can go emulate the same behavior. Problem is, with WWJD, it relegates Jesus to somewhere else, “out there…” In the verse above Paul asks, “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” All of our behavior collectively and individually can be judged under this standard. Paul seemed to insist that all of our behavior be judged under that standard.

The Good News is that wherever Jesus is, there is unquestioned obedience, submission to the Father, and compassionate, active love for others. If I am a believer and that ain’t happening the question ought to be, why? “Do [I] not realize that Christ Jesus is in [me]—unless, of course, [I] fail the test?” I shouldn’t be asking, what would Jesus do, but rather, Where is Jesus?” If I answer Jesus is in me, then shouldn’t all of my behavior, thoughts, preferences, and responses; as well as all of who I am, and think I am, line up with that truth? Paul sure seemed to think so…