“Do what God’s teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves.” — James 1:22 (NCV)

The Question That Remains

We’ve studied David’s drift, Peter’s presumption, Uzzah’s mistake, the Galatians’ backward slide, and our own blind spots. We’ve learned that experience is not a shield, that obedience is better than zeal, and that returning to the basics keeps us alive spiritually.

But here’s the final exam: Will you follow what you’ve taught?

It’s easy to agree with the truth in theory. It’s harder to live it daily. This exam is not about information, but transformation.

Lesson: The final measure of faith is not how much we know, but how much we obey.

The Call to Self-Examination

Paul wrote:
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Don’t you realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless you fail the test?” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NCV)

This is not a call to doubt, but to devotion. To pause and ask:
– Am I walking in obedience, or just in knowledge?
– Am I practicing what I preach?
– Is my life aligned with the truth I affirm?

Lesson: A faith unexamined soon becomes a faith unused.

Scholars or Disciples?

Jesus isn’t looking for more scholars. He’s looking for disciples. The difference is clear:
– Scholars can explain truth.
– Disciples live truth.

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hear the teaching of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28 NCV)

Disciples stumble. They fall. But they also get up, repent, and keep walking in obedience.

Lesson: Obedience, not knowledge, defines a disciple.

Consistency Over Comfort

Obedience isn’t glamorous. It means choosing consistency over comfort:
– Praying when you don’t feel like it.
– Forgiving when you’d rather hold a grudge.
– Walking in truth when compromise looks easier.
– Loving when the world expects you to hate.

This is the daily exam. Not a one-time test, but a lifetime of choosing to practice what we’ve been taught.

Lesson: Obedience is built in small, daily choices of faithfulness.

From Experience to Obedience

The theme of this course has been clear: Experience kills, but obedience keeps you.

Experience may teach us lessons the hard way, but obedience protects us from unnecessary wounds. The question is not whether we’ve heard the Word, but whether we will follow it.

Lesson: It’s not what you’ve experienced, but what you obey, that determines your spiritual strength.

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hearer, discipleship I

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In what areas of my life have I been a hearer, but not a doer, of the Word?

How does self-examination help me grow closer to Christ, not drift from Him?

What daily acts of obedience can I recommit to today?

Am I content with knowledge, or am I pursuing discipleship through obedience?

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Closing Thought

The final exam is not written on paper—it’s written on your life. The question is not, “What do you know?” but “What do you do?”

Knowledge informs. Obedience transforms. Let’s not just teach the basics—let’s live them.

Prayer

Lord, help me to not only be a hearer of Your Word, but a doer. Give me strength to choose obedience over comfort, consistency over compromise, and devotion over distraction. Let my life be the final exam that proves my faith is alive and active in You. Amen.