For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
For a student, exams and tests can be quite daunting. Even after much preparation and study to take one, nervous tension can set in diminishing the confidence of certain success. This is human. Arrogance and overconfidence can also be detrimental to our passing tests in life. There is not much we can be absolutely certain of in this world, but we are encouraged to have faith in our Creator. Faith in God can help us conquer our fears of uncertainty or failure. In fact, this faith is necessary to overcome any obstacle.
We were created fragile and weak, and that is for a reason. Humility is so much more precious than pride because while being humble, we become the tangible essence of who we are: fallible and dependent upon the Source that gives us life. It is by God's power we are made strong as His strength is perfected in our weakness. The test Paul calls us to take is an examination of our faith. Do we believe that God's Spirit indwelling within us is the source of our strength or that it is by our own might and power we live and breathe and have our being?
It may not be an easy test and everyone will experience the challenge of whether or not to accept the exam's results because we do not control the beginning of life or its end. Having faith in God's power over our weaknesses is the only way to assure a passing grade.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
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