In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul very personally writes…
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (2:1-4)
Think about that last phrase for a moment. “God who tests our hearts.” Tests aren’t always the most pleasant thing, are they? Whether in school or work or life, most of us would rather avoid them. Tests reveal what we know and what we’re capable of because they challenge us. Tests expose us and lead us to the point of giving an account. How has our time been spent? Have our energies been focused? Are we really who we’ve been saying we are? Is there substance beneath the surface? All of that is worth thinking about today because of what the Spirit inspired and Paul wrote 2,000 years ago. God tests our hearts. So let’s allow that reminder in this ancient letter to prompt a personal question for today. “When God tests my heart, what does he see?” What if we just used words from 1 Thessalonians 2? When God tests my heart, does he see…
Error or blamelessness? Impurity or holiness? Attempts to deceive or commitment to integrity? Flattery or faithfulness? Jealousy or joy? Secrets or sanctification? Conflict or forbearance? Shame or boldness? Grudges or grace? Greed or contentment? A hunger for the glory that comes from people or from God? Strife or gentleness? Enmity or affection? Selfishness or a readiness to sacrificially share my own self? When God tests my heart, what does he see?
After just a little bit of time with such a probing list of questions, I need some good news. I’m confident you do too, and thank God it’s right here in 1 Thessalonians 2. The “gospel of God” (2:2, 9) is able to purify, renew, transform, and strengthen our hearts that we might “walk in a manner worthy of God” who continues to call us “into his own kingdom and glory” (2:12). Do you hear that? He tests us and those tests can reveal some really ugly things, but that doesn’t have to be the end of my story. Praise God!
And yet, if the gospel is going to have the saving, purifying, strengthening effect I need and this God of grace desires, here is Step 1: I must be honest about the condition and content of my heart. After all, what good will it do to be less than honest with the Tester who already knows my heart better than I?
Two thousand years ago, the apostle Paul made an appeal. It’s been handed down, preserved, and you’ve come face-to-face with it today. It doesn’t spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive. It’s a humble, convicting, eternity-shaping question that nudges us all into the lane of self-evaluation, for our own good.
When God tests my heart, what does he see?