Monday: The Test of Life
Their works follow them,
says Revelation 14:13 (NKJV) about the reward of the righteous. Only the future will testify to the real value of the individual. People may boast now of their wealth, their knowledge, their physical prowess, and maybe that is all true. But what does it mean in the sight of God?
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
So often the traits, accomplishments, and deeds that humans uplift as important or impressive are shown to be the meaningless dross that they really are. After all, look at some of the despicable characters, often in the entertainment industry, who are all but worshiped and adored by fans. What we idolize and worship presents a powerful testimony to how fallen we are.
Read Proverbs 20:6 (see also Jer. 9:23-24; Mark 9:35). What are these texts telling us about what is of true value to God?
It is not the single sensational act of love or sacrifice that will demonstrate the high quality of our relationships, but the long and regular series of small actions that we perform day by day, patiently and surely. The daily meal served to your spouse, the constant attention to a sick parent, the continued effort in your job; all these humble acts throughout life are the evidence that your faith is authentic. Enduring faithfulness is more valuable than intense but rare acts of love.
This principle holds true for our relationship with God, as well. It is more difficult and more valuable to live for God than to die for Him, if for no other reason than that living takes more time than dying. The saint who lives for God is greater than the martyr who dies for Him. Anyone can claim to believe in God and to serve Him; the question is: Does it last? Or, as Jesus said: He who endures to the end shall be saved
(Matt. 24:13, NKJV).
How, through patience, kindness, and a willingness to meet other’s needs, can you reveal to someone something of the character of Christ? How willing are you to do this, no matter the cost to yourself?
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The line in Monday's lesson that "the saint who lives for God is greater than the martyr who dies for Him" leads one to wonder if this thought does not imply that God is a 'respecter of persons'--something that Jesus in His life and teachings totally debunked?
Hi Indi,
I agree that phrase also disturbed me. You are right the LORD loves all His children no matter whether they live or die for Him.
Although the LORD does not rank people, some of us humans do put martyrs on a pedestal while we should also appreciate those of the LORD's people who day in and day out reflect the love of the LORD to others.
Perhaps the test of life is in where one’s investments and priorities are (Luke 12:34). One may become heavily invested in this world with the mind set on achievement, fun and pleasure, and getting the most out of this life. This is generally accompanied by a narrow view of the law and a low estimate of holiness. Solomon took a journey along this path and concluded it was all vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
The counsel to the Laodicean church (last day believers) anticipated that many would have a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5), while retaining strong ties in this world (1 John:15, 16), thinking they are being balanced, but really making provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16).
As if uncertain and losing confidence in the reality of the Second Coming of Jesus and the heavenly home they diversify their investment portfolio, seeking a stake in both worlds; this one and the next (Luke 16:13). Like Lot’s wife, trapped in two minds these are in danger of being left by the Holy Spirit (Luke 17:32).
The saved have a different focus as they follow their Redeemer (Revelation 14:4). Having come this far by faith their mind is fixed on Heaven (Colossians 3:1-3). Their course is marked by self-denial (Luke 9:23), not attainment or indulgence in all they might get away with.
While others are seeking pleasure and partying they find durable joy in serving their Master (Luke 12:37). Their tastes are being refined and interests transformed daily (2 Corinthians 3:18). They are clear about their priorities (Matthew 6:22) and lay aside every hindrance (Hebrews 12:1, 2).
I really enjoyed your reading your commentary, and today's lesson put many things into prospective. As much as we value our jobs, families, friends, and even hobbies- we should always keep God as our #1 priority. A relationship with God is build daily through prayer and reading of His Word, and doing of His Will. My prayer for today, is for all of us to be more conscious of what we spend our leisure time doing, and that we may strive to strengthen our relationship with God on a daily basis.
I realy enjoyed todays lesson it has taught me that i do not have to wait for a certain time to show kindness or love for example, i do not have to wait to get a job or a lumpsome of money to help people, the little that i have can be used to change someones life..money or wealth should not be a measure for anyone..
i agree with u,because there are a lot of people wait till they get rich to start helping someone else. i love what Prov.19;17 says.
this is a great lesson even to me and i hope we practice what we preach to the rest of the world.
The test of Life lasts for all time until the time of judgement. I take from this lesson that we are to show our love to God through our love for our neighbours, especially in small acts of kindness that may not get noticed by a wider audience, or by anyone at all. Let our conscious be clear that our deeds are only for the love we have for our Lord Jesus, praising and glorifying Him only.
I think we should strieve to please God than man as we are told in col3:23.We should strengthen our relationship with God first before anything,then our relationship with others.
Today's lesson has shown me that our devotion to God is not based upon instantaneous reflections of character but is rather the longevity of my faithfulness in Him. This to is the same of therelationships I should be having with my fellow men & women.
Thanks for removing the dislike button. I don't think it was necessary.
The faithful man is ready to serve others, and he is not boastful of his wisdom, strength, or wealth rather they boast about living for God, doing what is pleasing to God. (They help others with whatever they have, their faith is authentic and they are humble.)
I don't understand why the writer of this book put the Monday title "Test of Life" ? what is the test ?
I think the test is whether we live our lives here on earth diligently by showing and sharing Christ's love or imprudently and selfishly
Amen brothe, amen
The main test of life is doing it time again and over, in love, with joy and as we would want it done to us.
If we pass this test then surely our living will be witnessing, it shall be more than one big act done mainly to draw attention and never repeated elsewhere, what the lesson writer refered to as "death of a martyr"
It is how I ask God to Just give us the strength
to do everyday what we have to do, one day at a time.
Amen.
Mondays lesson clearly dipects the reality of life in both life aspects.Matthews 24.11-15 answers many questions that the followers of christs lives fails to answer why Christ havnt come.True life is based on ones life in God.Our trrue identity therefor, should ber based on our connectoin to the Vine.
The test is CONSISTENTLY living for God. Living out that character consistently only comes by dwelling in the True Vine John 15:1 allowing Him to facilitate the production of fruits Gal 5:22-23. And lately it's been my thought/impression that we will never have excess to be able to say "now we can start helping others". We ought to trust God and be there for others within whatever He's already blessed us with this far.
Dwelling in the True Vine will allow us to say "it is well" even when our physical does not prosper becos our spiritual will be prospering and we will know better what matters most in this life - eternity and things that count for eternity.
I think the author is trying to teach us that we are more useful alive than dead. It is when we are alive that we can exert an influence for good.However I think we cannot downplay the value of dying for God. It can also make a huge influence.
I appreciate your comment. It has opened up my understanding even better.
The earth is not our home, therefore we should not get caught up and consumed by the things of the world. Let all our glory be in the lord; this is what I got from the lesson. May God continue to bless the writers for highlighting these verses for us.
What I take from the lesson for Monday is that we must live by every word that proceed from the mouth of God. We must study His word daily so that our character can be transformed to His character. We can not live what we do not know or understand. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a gift to help us in our daily living by bringing back to our remembrance what we have studied in God's word. Let people see Jesus in you by your humility, self control, hard work, and kindness. Show people what it is like to be a child of God by the way we live each day.
Jeremiah 9:23,34.Position,power,wealth and education are no garantee of good behaviour.A character form after the divine will is the only treasure we can take from this world to the next.(heaven)