RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-08-04	Examine Yourselves Whether You Are in the Faith (2Co.13:5-7)
		2Co 13:5 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. 2Co 13:6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. 2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. Paul believes most of his readers are believers in Christ. But certainly not all of them. Believers are challenged to check up on themselves (Ph.2:12). Php 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Just as we get physical check-ups, Paul urges us to give ourselves spiritual check-ups. If we are not actively seeking to grow closer to God, we are moving away from Him. In verse 3 the phrase “examine yourselves” (peirazō) is a present active imperative. So this is a command. Paul is saying we should face the issue and examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith. The Greek grammar places the emphasis on the pronouns “yourselves” and “you”. In context, Paul was accused of not being a spokesman or apostle of God. Paul turned the tables on his accusers. They presumed to evaluate his apostleship, but they needed to test the genuineness of their own faith (Ja.2:14-26). Paul was their spiritual father (1Co.4:15). If his apostleship was not genuine, so their faith would not be genuine. The genuineness of their salvation was proof of the genuineness of Paul's apostleship. [Eternally redeemed people are the proof of Paul's apostolic authenticity, and of God's presence in his life.] Paul says, “though we may seem disqualified” (v.7) seemingly admitting he is not qualified. But Paul is really saying if we judge a Christian life using worldly standards such as “power” or “success” then he certainly is disqualified. Paul does not come in the wisdom and power of the world. He comes in the power of God (Ro.1:16). We are very concerned that every believer has assurance of their salvation. Satan loves to attack us in this area. When we are not sure about ourselves, we certainly do not want to minister to others. At the same time, we understand there are some who presume they are Christians when they are not. In this day of satanic counterfeits, it is important that professing Christians know that they are saved. Self-examination takes the chill out of your soul, and the hardness away from your heart. Paul knew some among the Corinthians were not believers. Their thinking was worldly. This is a hard truth to confront. But it is better to know now than when it is too late! So how do we examine ourselves? There are several truths in the New Testament to help prove one is born again and members of the family of God.    (1) Do you have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart (Ro.8:9-17)    (2) Do you love the brethren (1Jn.3:14)    (3) Do you practice righteousness (1Jn.2:29; 3:9)    (4) Have you overcome the world with faith (1Jn.5:4)    (5) Do you abide in the vine (Jn.15:1-6) Christ in the heart has several truths attached to it.    • It means you believe in Christ    • It means that you love Christ    • It means you have communion with Christ    • It means Christ is your daily food Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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