James 1:12-14 (NLT)
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

I don’t like tests. Never did because it was the culmination of the studying and work I didn’t do when I was supposed to because I was too busy doing what I wanted to, not busy enough to do what I needed too. I find myself tempted by the things that I should be resisting, like – well, I’m a guy, figure it out (but don’t stereotype me – um, huh?). We all have our temptations that come from our own desires in every aspect of our life.

Yet, God blesses those who endure the testing and temptation. To be a “good person” is a common goal in the west. My question is: in whose eyes? In the eyes of a sinner, or in the eyes of our creator? It’s a test that really matters because at the end it determines where we spend eternity and we won’t be grading our own test. The good thing though is that it’s an open book test. The Creator wants us to pass.

Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV)
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

His way is perfect. His love, his knowledge, his justice. He shows us the way in His words and the words of Christ. He gives us the answers. Do you know them? Have you studied them? Do you pursue them? Are you studying for the final exam?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

That’s who He is, it’s who we need to be. That’s the test we’ll be taking.