We May Fail Occasional Exams But God Sticks With Us Until We Pass The Test

John 21:15-19

Life experiences bring tests to our character but even when we fail God doesn't give up on us or disqualify us from His calling on our lives.

Soul Food

John 21:15-19 (NIV)

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Soul Search

• Can you recall one or more experiences where looking back you can see that God was testing you – testing your character?
  Can you talk about it?

• As you recall those experiences can you retrospectively and objectively assess whether you pass or failed?
  Why do you think you passed?
  Why do you think you failed?

• Can you cite a Scripture or Scriptures that back up your determination that you passed God’s test(s)?
  Can you cite Scriptures that back up your determination that you failed His test(s)?

• How did it make you feel at the time and how does it make you feel now believing that you passed – or failed?

Soul Moves

• Ask God to make your heart and mind more discerning and alert so that you know when you’re facing a ‘pop quiz’ on your character.

• When you’re aware in the moment that you’re facing a test and you know Who the Teacher is that is giving the exam, it can make a difference on whether you pass or fail.

• If there are tests that you know you failed in the past, and you still feel badly to this day about your failing grade, ask your Teacher (God) if there is some remedial work to be done so that you can put your failing grade to rest.
  In other words, ask God what you need to do to make wrong things right.

• Allow the Scriptures that can be applied to both your passing and failing grades to become such an important part of your education that you commit those Scriptures to memory so that you won’t make the same mistake(s) twice.