Examination Day!

Posted on May 20, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Examination Day!

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. (2 Corinthians 13:5, 6)

Exams

Am I the only one who doesn’t enjoy visiting doctors or dentists to get a full examination? My theory; if I don’t know what’s going on, everything will be fine. However, virtually everyone else, but me, has proven this theory to be false. Examinations are informative, they provide options, and it gives us a chance to make the necessary adjustments. Our physical state is important, but more crucial is the examining our spiritual life.

When I first read this scripture, as a new Christian, I examined and challenged my salvation. I ask myself was I truly, saved or was this an illusion? I prayed, but my life was not matching the new life Christians boost upon. I thought intently because this is a serious matter that deserves my undivided attention. After a processing through a self-inventory and after accepting the comfort from the Holy Spirit, I got my confirmation through His Word, the Lord indeed reassured I was His.

But why would Paul challenged the Church of Corinth to examine their faith in Christ.

As scriptures began to enlighten, Paul was prompting them to examine their walk, making sure their life was proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wow! Paul cares for their souls, moreover the furthering of the Gospel. He care that they didn’t use this newfound freedom for fleshly pursuits, but to engage in a productive live in Christ. But most of all he wanted to remind them who they were in Christ. Understanding that we are in Christ gives us power to live a life that illuminates Christ.

For Christians, we understand that we are accountable to God and His Word. The believer appreciates laying down selfish pursuits, to immolate Christ’s sacrificial heart. The Christian is guided to a course of action. There is a reason why in most action movie there is a villain and super hero, because in realty, there is good and evil amongst us. God has designed a standard in the way humanity should live so we are not walking in darkness. There is no morality if there isn’t anything to compare or no standard of living. And yes being moral is not a bad thing!

Joshua commands: “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14, 15)

At the end of the day, everyone must examine themselves, not everyone else, according to the will of God. The Lord said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:15) Chaplain Juan Mendez serves full-time at the Colony of Mercy and is a graduate of the program. You can email him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 19-20; Matthew 10:21-42

Think About This: “When the prodigal came trembling back from the far-off land to his father’s house, his misery ceased and his joy began so soon as his father had spoken. What bliss must have thrilled him with the word of his gracious parent’s lips! The best robe! The precious ring! The costly shoe! The fatted calf! All for me? Why, it seems too good to be true. But so it is to be; and not only in his case, but with us all. Our cup has joy’s quintessence distilled into it, and it is filled to the brim. ‘That your joy may be full’, said the Mater; and it is full, as full as God’s eternal love, as Christ’s most precious grace, and the Spirit’s wonderful communion can make it.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22

Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?

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