"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified." 2 Corinthians 13:5
It's sobering to think that so many people fall away from the Christian faith on a daily basis. Rejecting Christ. Rejecting the authority of scripture, and living in blatant rebellion towards God and His Church. People who once were close to God, but are now far away. It's heartbreaking to see people manipulate scripture to fit their selfish desires. We must remember that our battle isn't with people, but with a real enemy who is the chief deceiver and father of lies. We must examine ourselves, today. If we don't we are in danger of falling away from faith or falling into sin. It's arrogant to think that we're not capable of being deceived by the enemy. Stronger and mightier people than us have fallen away, or fallen into a trap of sin. Also, if we don't examine ourselves according to the standard of God's Word we are in danger of becoming disqualified.
His Word is the standard by which we judge right and wrong. If we get away from the standard of His Word then we will invent ways to gratify our selfish and sinful desires. We will do what is right in our own eyes. We are seeing that in our world and in our church today. You are not exempt from temptation. You are not exempt from falling. You are not exempt from becoming disqualified. We must examine ourselves today while there is time to catch any sin before it becomes full grown.
Just like it's best to catch cancer in our bodies as early as possible before it spreads to our entire body. We need to catch that sin cancer early before it spreads to our entire being Spirit, Soul, and Body. "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived by beloved brethren." James 1:14-15
Examine yourself. Come to Jesus with a humble heart. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit give you the power to walk in victory, and keep the faith.
My prayer is that you be filled with His Holy Spirit, and walk in the fullness of God. "Apart from Him we can do nothing." John 15:5 "It's not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord." Zech. 4:6 We can't trust our willpower. We have to rely on His Spirit power in us.
Take time to examine your life, thoughts, heart, and desires. You might be surprised what you see, or you may not be. It's a good time for repentance, healing, and restoration.
