Message from Scripture: 8/25/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 2 Cor. 13:5: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.”

 

In our Scripture today, Paul uses two terms about ensuring we are where we should be spiritually, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). The first term, examine, comes from the Greek word πειράζω (peirazo), which means to know what a person's weakness or strength is. The second term, examine, comes from the Greek word δοκιμάζω (dokimazo), which means to try, prove, discern, distinguish, or approve. It has the idea of proving a thing to see whether it is worthy or not. In both cases, Paul is emphasizing that we should know where we are spiritually, not to guess, or assume, or just feel we are what we think we are.

 

There are two ways to carry out what Paul here commands of us. We must search the Scriptures to make sure what we think is what it actually says. We must also consider how we live compared to what Scripture says we should be. We are not perfect, but we must be willing to assess ourselves spiritually, otherwise we are prone to being deceived by Satan that we’re in a state we may not really be in. Remember the illustration Jesus used of the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee had deceived himself into thinking he was exactly what God wanted, that his life was exemplary of what the Law demanded. He was deceived. It was the tax collector, who knew his true state, and humbled himself before God, confessing he was a sinner, who stood justified.

 

We must examine ourselves today, so when God examines us in judgment, we can stand approved. Don’t assume anything, but know for sure. Paul said, “So then, the one thinking to have stood, beware lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Today, let’s make sure we know what we think we know, and are where we think we are, so we can go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fully, faithfully. God bless.

 

Robert