Pass, Fail

(“But if it comes to that, we’d rather the test showed our failure than yours. We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn’t possibly do otherwise.” 2 Corinthians 13:7, 8)

To be honest, the “Message” version of the Bible is not the best translation of the quoted verse. In fact, it is far closer to a mini-commentary than a translation at all. Young’s Literal translation says, “and I pray before God that ye do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is right, and we may be as disapproved; for we are not able to do anything against the truth, but for the truth.”


I share Young’s simply for the sake of accuracy, because the thoughts I have are based on the Message “commentary”. A few sentences earlier, Paul writes, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along, taking everything for granted…Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.”

Paul was concerned that the Corinthians take their faith in Christ seriously. Of any group of Christians, Paul probably has more corrective words for the Corinthians than any other. They simply added their belief in Jesus to all their other everyday behavior, desires and beliefs. He was an addition to their lives, rather than their Master.

Paul is determined that they understand that a follower of Christ means exactly that: He is the Leader, we follow. Anything less than Jesus alone as our Master is not acceptable. He wants it known that the definition of a Christian is one who, in all things, puts Christ first.

Paul makes allowances for the missteps and stumbles we will take as we attempt to follow Jesus. But, what he will not accept is calling ourselves by Jesus’ name while having little change in our life because of it. If we are to follow Jesus, we follow Him whether He leads where we are comfortable or uncomfortable.

Growth is so critical that Paul wishes he would fail if that meant his Christian friends succeeded. “Grow in the Lord, I do not care one bit how you do it…just grow! Go to Apostle Peter’s house and study with him if that helps you. Walk along the riverbank and meditate on Jesus’ words. Pray with a group, pray by yourself. Leave off reading my letters because they are difficult, and concentrate on Jesus’ words because they make sense to you…I don’t care…as long as you are growing!”

“We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you.” What a mighty statement of encouragement and freedom Paul makes! Those of us in Christian leadership certainly nod in agreement; we want the truth to win out in those God has put in our care. But, to be honest, if that truth sometimes was received more readily from a different ministry than mine, it caused some negative feelings within. Jealously or hurt, or a slew of other emotions, and the truth suddenly took back seat to my own desire to be the “favorite teacher.”

This should hold true for believers in every area of life. Not to stir up controversy, but (here I go), I am reading a most interesting book. To be brief, it highlights many of the historical references that the Christian Right makes to prove that the United States was founded as a “Christian nation.” Some of these incongruencies I was already aware of, but this book highlights so many times that authors and speakers misquote the Founding Fathers and sometimes actually falsify words in historical documents to bolster the claim of a “Christian nation.”

Now, as a follower of Jesus, I would love it if we discovered that every founding leader of our wonderful country planned this land to be a place where Christianity was the primary principle of governance. But, the facts show this is not accurate. While Christianity was the primary religion practiced by many of the founders, their desire was to have no sectarian slant to this country. And, because truth is the most important issue, Christians should be the first to acknowledge this. Instead of taking out of context and stretching texts far beyond their meaning, we should, as purveyors of truth, demand that same truth when discovering the philosophies upon which our country was founded; even if we don’t like it!

Ok, perhaps that was a two paragraph rabbit trail rather than an illustration, but here is the important reality; truth always should triumph over personal self-interest. That is Paul’s concern. He doesn’t care if he gets credit; he simply wants his Corinthians friends to grow in their faith. He is “root for the truth” to win out in them.

There is no higher truth than what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Though He appeared weak in crucifixion, God’s power was explosively clear when Jesus rose from the dead. As we follow Him we may, also, appear foolish and weak. We may seem to the world as ones who matter very little. But, allowing for Christ’s resurrection power in us, we know that truth always triumphs.

A believer should never fear truth. And a believer should never be afraid of things that are counter to the truth. A person with truth on their side never should be afraid. Those who argue the quickest and loudest are usually those who are somewhat uncertain about their faith. But, if we know that we are on the side of truth, we are free to make our arguments in love and leave the resolutions to God Himself.

I wonder if I really think like Paul. I wonder if I really believe that I would rather fail the test is that meant those I love would pass it. I wonder if I can live with the idea that I may never be pointed to as the reason someone grew especially if that very lack of ego is a big part of why, in the end, they did mature.