“So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness” (1 John 1:6 NLT).
The holidays are here. Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Christmas program practices are underway, baking has begun and Jesus’ birthday will be here before you know it. Something else is on my calendar. Something I await anxiously—my yearly physical.
On one hand I look forward to finding out if my exercise regimen has made any difference in my health. On the other, well, we all know doctors have a way of bursting our bubbles, surprising us with inopportune diagnosis and suggesting more tests, just to rule a few things out.
Another exam that rolls around this time of year? A spiritual one—mentioned in the verse above. How would you do on this exam?
I know most of you say you’re Christians, I proclaim the same—but how would we do if the clipboard were brought out and the questions started:
Are your thoughts always godly?
Are your intentions consistently focused on someone other than yourself?
Are the corners, closets and basements of your heart opened to God’s penetrating light?
Is your lifestyle one God would approve of? Let’s be more specific: How are you living Monday through Saturday?
Are you producing Fruit of the Spirit in your words, deeds and ambitions?
Tough test, don’t you agree? But He tells us in His Word that what we say means very little if how we’re living doesn’t match up. To be specific, if our talk and walk don’t match up—He calls us liars.
Take the test. Pray about the results. If you come to the conclusion that further tests need to be performed, seek His opinion and carry out the regimen.
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: On this first Sunday of Advent, pray that believers everywhere would covenant to make this year’s celebration more about Christ than those in past years.
