A DIVINE "POP" QUIZ

I Was Just Thinking About – A DIVINE “POP” QUIZ.

In the devotional written by Joseph Stowell on September 27, 2018, Get More Strength For The Journey, the following was posted based on John 14:6, where Jesus stated: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Stowell went on to write:

“Recently, I read a disturbing quote from a pastor of a large church in California. He said: “I used to believe that we should ask Muslims to accept Christ as their Savior. But I don’t believe that any more. I’ve sensed the presence of God with Muslims, and I’ve come to believe that it’s wrong to try to talk them into becoming Christians.” I don’t know why he changed his mind, but caving in on what Jesus has clearly said, is a betrayal of Jesus Himself. Jesus came to make a way to God by removing the one barrier that blocks everyone’s path to God—the barrier of sin. This meant that He had to die in our place to pay the price of sin. Without His sacrifice, there is no other way. Let’s face it; if there were other ways to God, then He didn’t need to die. It’s ludicrous to believe that His Father would send Him through the agony of the cross if it were only another religious option. To deny that He is the way is to deny Jesus.”

One of the realities of education is when a test is given to determine what the student has learned or knows. When a stated time is designated for a test, one can prepare in advance for that examination. However, some teachers also employ a “Pop Quiz” that can take place at any time. It is a measure of how current a student is in terms of assignments done and lectures understood. A wise teacher will prepare the student in terms of that which they need to know, how that knowledge is affecting one’s thinking and what is being applied in one’s life. The point of an examination or “pop quiz” is to assess what a student knows, thinks and does.

It would be interesting to periodically conduct a “pop quiz” with Church Members to determine what they know, think and do with God’s truth and Jesus Christ Who is the way, truth and life. If the first question posed was: “Why should God let you into His heaven” what would one’s response be? If it was defined in terms of what one believes how would that influence one’s response? How would you answer God’s question? Would you respond by indicating you have memorized The Apostles’ Creed and recite it every week during a worship service – that’s what “I” believe? Hmmm. Do you think God would find that to be adequate? OR – would you indicate that you have clearly understood the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and have responded to it according to Romans 10:8-10 – The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.” This would be the first step of faith in Christ. Other steps would include the spiritual work of sanctification wherein one dies more and more to self and lives more and more unto Jesus Christ.

One day, as one dies and enters into eternity, each one of us will be given A Divine Pop Quiz. Why should God let you into His heaven? When we gather in Church and observe The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, what is you basis for participation? Are you partaking worthily? The words from the Hymn – Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness – should grant you hope and  encouragement…

Bold shall I stand in thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
Even then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.