Do you identify yourself as a Christian? If so, here is a quick 5 question test, contained in the Scriptures, that will let you know if God agrees with you. Nervous? Scared? After all, only God’s opinion matters when it comes to who is one of His faithful children and who isn’t.
The text: Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Question #1: Do you believe that Jesus is more important than anyone or anything that has ever been here on earth? That’s what the word “firstborn” means. It isn’t a chronological word, but a preeminence word. Do you believe that Jesus is the #1, most preeminent person/being who has ever lived? If you can truthfully say YES, then it’s one down, five to go.
Question #2- Do you believe that Jesus created “all things”? Not a few things or even most things, but ALL THINGS. And your answer can’t be, “Yes, but …” This statement simply agrees with John 1:3. If you can truthfully answer YES, two down, 4 to go.
Question #3- Do you believe that Jesus existed BEFORE Genesis 1:1? Think about it; if Jesus created “all things”, then He had to exist before “God created the heavens and the earth.”
If you can answer YES, three down and three to go.
Question #4- Do you believe that our universe only holds together because Jesus is holding it together? The universe is part of the “all things”. Can you faith stretch that far? If you can truthfully answer YES, then four down, two to go.
Question #5- Do you believe that Jesus was/is/always has been God? Do you believe in the deity of Jesus? If you can truthfully answer YES, five down, one to go.
Question #6- Do you believe that Jesus is the reconciler (brings back to the original order) who makes peace through his blood shed on the cross? Can your truthfully answer YES?
Conclusion:
1- Often people say things about themselves that they wish were true, but really aren’t. That’s why I wrote: “If you can truthfully answer …” Remember that God is the great reader of hearts. He knows what each of us really believes, the truths for which we would lay down our lives. With that in mind/heart, now can you truthfully say YES to all six?
2- With these six truths, a grading scale is either A+ or F, no B’s or C’s on this test.
3- Notice that I didn’t ask if you “fully understood” each of these six truths. And I certainly didn’t ask if you “could explain” them. I only asked, “Do you believe them?” So, do you?
4- Finally, in case you don’t believe all six, you can choose to believe them now. All six are truths from God about His Son, Jesus Christ. He will accept no unbelief. That is why Jesus spoke of “many” and “few” in Mt. 7:13-14. God bless.
