Why you don't have to wait until the Final Day to read the report... Consider life from a teacher's perspective:
1) Why do teachers give tests? So they can see how well the students are doing. The student's grade gives them a "grade" on how well they are doing as teachers and where they need to focus more effort.
2) Why do teachers grade those same tests and return them to their students? So the students can see how well they are doing and see where they need to bring up their work.
3) Now, why does the Lord give tests? Since He already knows ALL that can possibly be known (#1), the only reasonable answer must be #2--He wants to give us feedback on how well we are doing in our walk with Him.
I have made what is for me an important discovery: I have discovered the "report card" on the First and Greatest Command that I am being required to fulfill during my time on earth. Why I didn't realize this sooner is anybody's guess. You know the command (it is your TOP assignment also): love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength--all the time and in every situation. How do you get a handle on that? Very easy as it turns out: your peace levels!
How is it that our peace level gives us the score card on the Number One Thing that we are to be doing each day?Simple: I only get peace as a feedback from the Holy Spirit if I am:
a) trusting Godat the level that He sees is appropriate for me and
b) obeying the Lord (being led by HIS Spirit) in what He is actually wanting me to be doing.
If I am doing otherwise, the Holy Spirit "throws the flag" on the play by removing the Peace of Christ. I can have deep peace, some peace, little peace or stress. Emotional stress is not a passing grade!
Think about it: Why would God want to leave us with no indication of how we are doing with our most important daily assignment? That would hardly be fair to us (to keep us in total suspense until the Final Day) or wise of Him (because all servants/employees need good feedback in order to serve in a pleasing and effective way).
In fact this command is so important that the feedback comes to us every moment of the day.
