17 If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. “   

During times of personal conflict, one can also see this as a time of testing of his faith. What do you really believe? Are you ready to hold to that belief when the circumstances are tough? What if persecution arises? How strongly do you believe? There are all kinds of doubts. You can be convinced of something, but unless challenged, that is when true conviction is revealed. I am surprised how much I try to rationalize arguments even when I think I hold something strongly. I am not so much talking about the major convictions, but the areas where popular opinion goes against what I believe.            

Am I being deceived? When can I really follow Jesus?  There will come times of testing. Jesus puts faith to His followers in a frank manner. vs. l7 “ If any one chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."    

Jesus’ teachings were often addressed to the will rather than simply to the mind.  Christ challenges us to believe and act on His truth. Only when I am willing to be obedient is my heart in a receptive state where I can know His will.  Jesus is saying do God's will and the God will become believable to you.    

Pastor Bob Brunko said, "It is in forgiving others that we understand and experience the reality of God's forgiveness of us. It is in loving others that God's love becomes real. It is in giving that we begin to understand and appreciate his generosity. It is in sacrificing ourselves to serve others that his sacrifice for us becomes believable. "   In other words, in obeying the word believing takes care of itself.             

If a man determines in advance that he will live by truth, then God will disclose His word to him. He will disclose more truth concerning the person of Jesus to those who determine that they will follow Him.    

Application:  Do you have trouble believing in Christ, or trusting the Bible? Then perhaps it is because you have not yet determined to go in the way God's truth leads you. Consider the matter of testing. Circumstances have a way of doing that for us.

Prayer:   Lord, You know my areas of struggle.  Lead me, guide me, strengthen me to believe all that Your Word says and live it out.   Help me to bask in the rest You have called me to.  You are my righteousness.   

Dale