Tag: 2nd Corinthians 13:5-9
Healthy self-examination
Scripture reading for September 8th: 2nd Corinthians 13, Psalm 30, Proverbs 25
2nd Corinthians 13: 5-9 “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! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong–not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.”
It is a hard thing to be honest with ourselves. It has been said that the kingdom of ‘self’ is highly defended territory! But Paul encourages a healthy self examination to these Corinthian believers. They are to determine if they have truly invited Jesus Christ to live in them and are living by faith in His sacrifice on the cross for their salvation. God wants us to know that we have been forgiven and healed from the ravages of selfishness and sin. He wants us restored to humble confidence in Him and His power and ability to save us. He wants us free from self-deception and dead works based on human effort that we sometimes use instead of resting in God’s grace in Christ. That’s good news from heaven for us today!
Psalm 30:2-3 “O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me. O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”
Prayer: Father God, help me today to examine myself with honesty and Truth. Show me where I am in need of repentance and restoration. Deliver me from pride in my own abilities and the deception of trying to earn my place in Your kingdom. I choose to invite Jesus Christ to live in me today and lead me in the path of grace and eternal life. Use me to share this ‘good news’ from heaven!
Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”
Restoration to truth!
Scripture reading for October 4th: Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2nd Corinthians 13
2nd Corinthians 13:5-9 “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! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong–not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.”
The false teachers, some claiming to be ‘apostles of Jesus Christ’, had led some of these believers away from the truth of the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone. Paul encouraged the church to do a healthy self-examination to see if they were really in the faith. “Is Jesus Christ living in you?” was the question that must be answered individually. True faith is all about a living relationship with the Living God. The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that God is our Father and that He loves us. God’s love and goodness lead us to repentance and growth in holiness and service to God and one another.
Psalm 76:1-3 “In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. There He broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for pastors, apostles, and prophets who call us to repentance and faith through the truth of Your Word. Fill my heart and lips with Your Truth and use me to call Your people to renewed faith and holy living. Forgive me of sins of omission and commission and may the true Gospel of grace and faith bring restoration to many.
Jeremiah 14:20-21 “We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against You. Do not spurn us, for Your Name’s sake; do not dishonor Your glorious throne; remember and do not break Your covenant with us.”