Examine Yourselves

Examine Yourselves

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.” 2 Cor. 13:5-6.

This is a strong and necessary exhortation. We constantly hear about Jesus’ imminent return, and those who will be along in the rapture have been occupied with examining themselves in the light of God’s Word. We will lose courage if we do not have a living faith while we examine ourselves and prove ourselves. However, if Christ is in us and the Word is the guideline for our life to be conformed to Him, then we are united with Christ in a constant, incorruptible glory.

If Christ is in us, we know that we are not disqualified. If we are in doubt, we are disqualified. The church at Corinth should have known that Paul was not disqualified, and our life should also testify of the same.

In Philippians 1:20-21 Paul gives a great, personal testimony: “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

His earnest expectation and hope was that he would not be ashamed in anything. Christ was first in everything in his life, and He was to be magnified in his body with all boldness. “Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6.

“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Gal. 6:4.

It is a real temptation to examine the others’ works, but all that is worth less than nothing as far as eternity is concerned. We have more than enough to do with examining our own works and finding out how we can do things more perfectly to Christ’s glory. Everything can become better, and Paul, the great apostle, pursued all the virtues of Christ.

All of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that we may receive the things done in our body, whether they were good or bad. 2 Cor. 5:10. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to give to everyone according to his work.” Rev. 22:12.

It is both good and necessary to examine our works and our ministry for the others daily. How is it with righteousness in relation to what God’s Word says about it? How is it with love in relation to God’s Word about love in 1 Corinthians 13? Everything must be examined in the light of God’s Word. How is it with speaking the truth all the time? How is it with always humbling yourself under God’s mighty hand so that you can always have rest and peace in the various circumstances? How is it with generosity, sincere brotherly love, and zeal in your hate against sin? This is how we can examine ourselves, and then we will always be aware of our great poverty. But then we will also be aware of God’s presence and eternal riches. God dearly loves us if we hate sin.

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10. These are Paul’s strong words, and that is how he lived. He sought neither honor nor gain; he trusted God to grant him that. In these days one expects great revivals in the midst of seeking honor and gain and seeking to please people. True revival in the Spirit of Christ does not thrive in such an atmosphere. The Spirit of Christ produces revival to self-denial, sacrifice, and obedience. This is true revival to discipleship.

Let us search ourselves and examine ourselves, because the time is short!