Suppose the Lord were giving you a report card each day. Suppose you don’t have to wait until the Final Day to read the report… Consider life from a teacher’s perspective:
1) Why do teachers give tests? So they can see how well the students are doing. The student’s grade gives them a “grade” on how well they are doing as teachers and where they need to focus more effort.
2) Why do teachers grade those same tests and return them to their students? So the students can see how well they are doing and see where they need to bring up their work.
3) Now, why does the Lord give tests?
Since the Lord already knows all that can possibly be known about us, then #1 above doesn’t factor in. The only reasonable answer must be #2. He gives test in order to give us feedback on how well we are doing in our walk with Him.
I have made what is for me an important discovery: I have discovered the “report card” on the first and greatest command that I am being required to fulfill during my time on earth. Why I didn’t realize this sooner is anybody’s guess.
You know the command—it is your top assignment also: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Since this is expected of us at all times and in every situation, I used to wonder, “How do you get a handle on that?” Then it came to me that the answer is simple and obvious: our peace levels!
Our peace level gives us the score card on the Number One Thing that we are to be doing each day, because we only get peace as a feedback from the Holy Spirit if we meet His conditions.
To enjoy the peace of Christ I need to be:
a) Trusting God at the level that He sees is appropriate for me. Am I trusting God with all that He has allowed into my life and that of my loved ones? He never causes evil, but He does allow free will to operate. Am I trusting His sovereignty over it? If so there will be peace.
b) Obeying the Lord (being led by HIS Spirit) in what He is actually wanting me to do. The Holy Spirit will always show us the next right thing to be doing. Am I willing to go His way instead of mine? If so there will be peace.
If I am doing otherwise, the Holy Spirit “throws the flag” on the play by removing the peace of Christ. I can have deep peace, some peace, little peace or no peace. Emotional stress will flood in, driving peace out or vice versa. Emotional stress is not a passing grade!
Think about it: Why would God leave us with no indication of how we are doing with our most important daily assignment? That would hardly be fair to us (to keep us in total suspense until the Final Day) or wise of Him (because all servants/employees need good feedback in order to serve in a pleasing and effective way).
In fact this command is so important that the feedback comes to us every moment of the day.
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMP
For more on living in the peace of Christ see Praying Through to Peace and also Spiritual Healing at our website for emotional healing: HealingStreams.
About the Author: Steve Evans
For over a decade Steve Evans and Healing Streams have been helping people recover inner peace and freedom. Find out how to gain mastery over negative emotions and live with childlike freedom of spirit by taking his completely free "eCourse for Healing" at healingstreamsusa.org. Get started now!
