Healthy self-examination
Scripture reading for August 14: 2 Corinthians 13
“This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them–since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but in dealing with you we will live with Him by the power of God. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” 2 Corinthians 13:1-6
Paul was writing to the Corinthian believers about church discipline of members who were living in known sin. Paul had evidently visited them before about the need to repent and the consequences of continuing in sinful relationships. In this letter, he was again warning them that they would not be spared from church discipline when he came to them in person again. Pastoral love flows to the believers through this honest communication and confrontation. God wants none to perish but all to come to godly sorrow leading to repentance and eternal life. (2 Corinthians 7:8-10) The absence of consequences to this point does not signify God’s weakness but His patience and long-suffering. Paul’s warnings were not out of weakness either, but done in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul encouraged all the Corinthian believers to do a healthy self-examination concerning their own confession of faith. Did they recognize Jesus Christ as indwelling them? Was Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior and only hope of forgiveness and eternal life? Had they humbly repented of sin and invited Christ’s Holy Spirit to live in them? If they failed this test they could quickly repent and again live by faith. Paul’s prayer and confrontation was done for their restoration, not their condemnation. He did not want to have to confront them in person but would rather rejoice with them that they had willingly responded in humility and repentance.
Has God used patience with you in dealing with besetting sins in your life? Have you experienced gentle pastoral correction or the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit prompting you to make changes? As you do a healthy self-examination today, what assurances of Christ’s pleasure and indwelling are evident?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for godly correction through the Holy Spirit and Word and through those in church leadership. Thank You for Your gentleness and drawing me to make changes. Help me to be gentle and Christ-like in dealing with those who may be going astray. Amen.
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