Examining Our Faith

II Corinthians 13:5-14

Our Scripture passage for today are the final verses of the Book of II Corinthians, closing off the Apostle Paul’s letter to that church.  Paul had written them before, dealing with some sin problems that community of believers were struggling with.  There were some in that church whose response to Paul’s prior message was quite negative.  Paul dealt with that issue with this letter, this epistle.

Some there in the Corinthian church were angry at Paul, and questioned his leadership and his apostleship.  Here in this passage he countered with telling them to check whether their faith was genuine (vs. 5-6).  Since Paul was the one to first bring the Gospel to them, if he was bringing a false gospel, their faith was in something lacking substance.   Some there were accusing him of being a fake, so he turned it around to them.  Paul wanted the Corinthians to determine whether they were really true believers or fakes.  He knew that he and his associates were true believers.   If they know they are true believers, then Paul urges them to see that they are growing in their faith.

This is something that we should regularly check as well, like a spiritual check-up.  First, are we truly saved?  If we know that for sure, that we’re not unapproved and rejected, then are we growing in Christ and in our faith?  If we are not drawing closer to Him, then we will drift away.  It is good to make sure that we are growing in our walk with Jesus by examining to see if we are becoming more like Him.  Are there sins we need to eliminate from our life?  Do we need to develop a more Christ-like behavior to be more like Jesus?  We all need to often clean ourselves up, both our outward actions and our inner heart-attitude.

Paul called on the Corinthians to do what is right, honorable and honest (vs. 7).  If they were doing what was right, living godly lives, according to God’s Word, Paul would not have to come with his apostolic authority (vs. 8-10).  That would make him rejoice.  He wanted them to grow and become mature believers.  They would be “strong” in their walk, and he could appear “weak” in his authority.  There were some in that church who had questioned his apostolic authority.  “Who is Paul?”, they questioned.  “Who is he to tell us what to do?  I can do what I want!”  We still find some who do the same today, questioning the leadership of the church, especially when it comes to discipline.  “Who are they to tell me what to do or how to act?”  God has set our church leadership in their position, and if we know that they are men or women of God, then we should accept their authority, even when it comes to godly discipline.

Paul urged the Corinthian believers to apply what they knew from God’s Word (vs. 11).  This is something we also need to follow.  As James also said, be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer (James 1:22).

The final verse of our passage and of this book is one of clear declaration of the Trinity (vs. 14).   The Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit are all presented here as Deity and as equal.  We have grace from Jesus, love from the Father, and fellowship or communion from the Holy Spirit.

How serious is our faith?  Is it just a temporary pursuit, or is it a permanent commitment?   If we aren’t growing in our faith, we can be easily led astray by erring preachers, false doctrines, or cults and pagan religions.  As Paul urged the Corinthians, examine ourselves, being sure we are in the Lord and not castaways, and then living for Him.