When I was in school, I loved test day. Most did not, but I absolutely loved taking tests. Why? Academics was a strength for me, so I typically performed really well on tests. Perfect scores were not out of the ordinary.
Sometimes, if I was unsure of an answer, I could close my eyes and see the page in the book, or see my notes — in my mind — and read them in my mind, then answer the question correctly. It was like cheating, without cheating.
But in general, I usually knew the stuff…
But what about adulthood? How many adults like tests? Some professions require them from time to time, but for the most part, adults don’t take tests…
Except they do.
Every.Single.Day
Way back in ancient times, Yahuah gave a test:
Deuteronomy 13:4-5
…do not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for יהוה your Elohim is trying you to know whether you love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being. “Walk after יהוה your Elohim and fear Him, and guard His commands and obey His voice, and serve Him and cling to Him.
Here is the New King James Version:
…for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.
Was this “test of loving God” only for Moses and the people with him at the time, or is it for all people, throughout all time? Many will say that was just part of the commands given to ancient Israel, and do not apply today.
What if it does still apply today?
How would we know?
I’m guessing that at some point in time during the Era of Messiah on this earth, or in the writings of the Apostles who learned directly from Messiah, this test would be given to us yet again.
Do we see that in scripture, or are these ‘ancient’ words from Deuteronomy truly old and forgotten?
Here are three direct quotes of our Yeshua Messiah:
John 14:15
“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.”
John 14:21
“He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 15:10
“If you guard My commands, you shall stay in My love, even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love.
Here is another bit of information, describing who are the elect, the saints:
Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Messiah.
Here is another bit from Revelation, this time at the very end of the book. This describes who is in the kingdom:
Revelation 22:14
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Do you hope to have access to the tree of life one day?
I do.
Do you hope to be able to enter into the city of New Jerusalem?
It is heaven on earth [read Revelation 21], so yes, I’m hoping for that.
1John 2:3-6
The Test of Knowing Him
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
What do you think?
Can you pass the test of Deuteronomy 13?
Can you pass the test of 1John?
This test is for all people, throughout all time.
Don’t be fooled by false teachers.
Listen to the direct quotes of Messiah, and try to perform well on your test!!
I believe scripture tells us to keep the commands of Yahuah (God) over and over and over again.
But here is the important part:
It has nothing to do with the giving of salvation.
Salvation is a gift, so that no man should boast.
We cannot EARN salvation.
So why keep the commandments?
Simply because Messiah says that is how He will know if we love Him.
Going back to Deuteronomy, why was the test given?
“to know whether you love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being. “
In both the Old Testament and in the New Testament, the same test is given, and the reason for the test is the same in both cases.
Can you pass the test?
Psalm 119:142
Your righteousness is righteousness forever, And Your Torah is truth.