Memorise: yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Read: Matthew 7:3-6
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Message
Self-examination is the contemplation of your own thoughts, desires and conduct. Our Lord Jesus Christ admonished that before a person would begin to counsel and advise others on how they should live their lives, self-examination is always necessary. Before a Christian partakes in spiritual activities that require some level of sanctification and holiness in the church, it is also necessary to carry out self-examination. This is clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 11:28 which says,
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”
Consequently, self-examination should precede taking part in the Holy Communion or the acceptance of ordination into a position in the church.
However, we should remember that God does not call the qualified; rather, He qualifies the called. No Christian can claim adequacy in qualification because we’re not worthy of the great gift of salvation He obtained for us at the cross of Cavalry. Therefore, the purpose of self-examination is not to qualify yourself or to prove that you are worthy before God, but to do that which is honest and truthful before God and man. This is why the Bible in 2 Corinthians 13:7 says:
“Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.”
Self-examination is needed in the 21st century church to check whether we are still in the faith. Adherence to basic Bible doctrines has become a thing of the past. Obedience to commandments of the Bible is now subject to whether such commandments do not infringe on a person’s human rights and if it meets with his or her personal approval. The concept of sin, righteousness and holiness as clearly defined in the Holy Bible is now relative to a person’s choice with serious considerations for culture and environment. Therefore co-habitation of unmarried couples, immodest dressing and behaviours that translate to a total departure from Biblical teachings are exhibited in the church of God with impunity. Examine yourself today; are you still in the Faith?
Prayer Point: Father, help me to examine myself, and send a revival to your Church in Jesus’ Name.
Bible in one year: Luke 12:35-14:24; Job 26
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 14, 2014 by Pastor E.A Adeboye
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