This ol’ prof has helped students with “test anxiety!” Sometimes it is irrational (and requires some counselling and personal help) – other times students experience it because of lack of preparation. Hey, I’ve struggled with it a time or two myself…
One day, though, the BIG test is coming! And we all need to be prepared for it through faith in Jesus Christ and our “walk” with the Lord! Investing daily in preparation for “eternity” is a wise thing to do!
But there is a sense in which every day is a test of our “walk with the Lord!” Are we simply “acting out” in our Christian life (it’s called “hypocrisy”) or are we “the real deal!” What do our neighbors, friends, (and even our “enemies”) think of our “Christianity?” More than that – what does God think (after all the “final exam” is given by Him!
The church in Corinth was a troubled church in a wicked community! They had problems of disunity, personality idolatry, immorality, spiritual excess, false doctrine, critical attitudes to godly leadership, etc.
My Bible reading yesterday included these words and warning from Apostle Paul at the end of 2 Corinthians… “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith! Test yourselves! Do you realize that Jesus Christ is in you? – Unless indeed you fail to meet the test! … I write these things so that when I come I will not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building you up and not for tearing you down.” (From 2 Corinthians 13:5-10)
They were taking a “test” and not doing so well! Believe me, the entire letter from Paul makes it clear his concerns were not simply doctrinal. In fact, I wrote this personal message in the margin of my Bible in response to Paul’s words… “I’m taking a test every day! My beliefs, values, and lifestyle must exhibit Christlikeness! The inner witness of the Holy Spirit, the criteria of Scripture, my testimony as a Christian before others must ‘pass the test!’ I must live a consistent Christian NOW – every day! But I must also live for ‘that day’ – when I stand before God – and by His grace and my devotion to Him – I want to hear these words, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant – enter into the joy of your Lord!’” (Matthew 25:21-23)
Coffee With The Lord 