Tag: test yourself
Self examination of your soul!
Scripture reading for September 13th: 2nd Corinthians 13:1-14
Paul was coming for his third visit and promised to address their problems with the sins he listed. Some people there were questioning Paul’s authority and the power of Christ. He told them that every matter would be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. He had warned them on the second visit and now was prepared to deal with those who had not repented. “. . .since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.” (2nd Corinthians 13:3-4) It was Christ’s power in Paul’s weak body that made him a servant of Christ to help them. Christ would not put up with sin in His body!
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.” (2nd Corinthians 13:5-6) Paul told them to test themselves for Christ in their life. The real test of true Christianity is Christ living in us. Paul knew that Christ lived in his body and was confident that these Corinthians would see that in him. (Galatians 2:20) They also would be able to know whether or not Christ was in them!
Paul was writing this letter to help these Corinthian Christian make the needed corrections in their lives before he came and would need to use his authority in person. His desire and Christ’s was for their perfection! His final words showed his heart to these brothers: “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2nd Corinthians 13:11)
If we will take godly correction from those God places in our lives, we will make progress towards perfection! If we don’t aim for perfection, we surely won’t hit it by accident! We must help one another in order to make progress and to work at living in peace. God will work in us and love us to perfection!
Sunday Rest and Reflection: 2nd Corinthians 10-13
Dear Friends,
Welcome to another day of rest! This cycle of working 6 and resting one day is really a gift from God for us! God knows that we really need rest! The rest we need is from trying to work for His approval! In Christ, we are completely approved and accepted in the beloved! Let’s enter this day fully resting in Christ!
In order to complete our reading this year, we must read for 5 more Sundays! In our devotion, I have picked out several key scriptures to meditate on today. May you find God speaking to you through His Word!
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” 2nd Corinthians 10:4-5
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”” “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That’s why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 2nd Corinthians 13:5
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2nd Corinthians 13:14
Resting in His matchless love, Pastor John