“¶Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/2co.13.5.LSB

Most people despise tests. Why? We despise failure. Testing is the only way to measure progress, the true purpose of testing. It is not to shame or ‘fail’ us but to give us another benchmark from which to move forward in our progress. In the Christian’s life, the testing is to see our progression toward Christlikeness, the goal of our Father Who created us to be conformed into the image of His firstborn Son.

Jesus measured Himself by obedience to everything God commanded so that He could fulfill all of God’s commands and become the world’s Savior. Upon His resurrection, Jesus commanded that we become and make disciples, the mark of which is obedience to everything Jesus commanded us. This begins with our work as ambassadors for Christ, for Jesus identified His purpose in choosing the disciples when He said He was making them into fishers of men.

Why is the world in worse moral shape today than ever before? Most Christians are not engaging in the work of the church. The work begins by showing up before God in prayer and Scripture to receive His instruction. Our daily appetites must improve for knowing God and seeing His kingdom come upon the earth as it is in heaven. Our work continues when we put up by sharing with others the love of Jesus. The gospel is the power of salvation for everyone who believes.

We must show the gospel, and we must tell the gospel, for we are His witnesses so that all men everywhere might believe. When we have been faithful in these things, when we go up, God will reward us as His good and faithful servants who will receive the joy of our Master for being found faithful at the purpose for which He left us on this earth. Building the kingdom of God is to be our full-time occupation regardless of our hourly vocation until all men come to salvation.