“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.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)
So, it’s a Saturday morning here at The Hughes Corporation (well my house to be exact) and I am finding myself reading one of those e-devotionals I get. The Berean Call sometimes puts stuff out that makes me get all kinds of Berean up-n-here and I just gotta dig into it. This morning’s contribution has got me in 2 Corinthians 13 and it appears as if the apostle Paul is giving those unruly Corinthians a spiritual spanking. In modern-day terms, it seems as if Paul is saying, “you better check yourself, before you wreck yourself.”
But that’s what self-examination is all about, isn’t it? For those of us who grew up with parents who had no problem demonstrating their authority because we were “naughty by nature”, we can understand that being disciplined means coming to terms on what isn’t acceptable behavior. Now, as easy as that was to type, I wish I could tell you that it was just that easy to live out or continue living out for that matter. I still have those moments where I find myself saying…
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” (Romans 7:18-20)
So, it isn’t a bad thing getting to know oneself as you battle through the everyday, getting the armor chinked up, and finding your feet all muddied up. That’s what the opening verse is all about. Examining that faith you say you have so those around you can smell the sweet aroma of a Savior that they also need to be abiding in.
I think one of the mistakes we make in examining ourselves is in the way we compare our walk with another. Don’t get this wrong, if iron is to sharpen iron, then watching the way a brother walks is key in helping him as he helps you, but if we self-examine ourselves by going vertical and saying to God, “Please make me like Brother So-n-So” then we may have just told God that we don’t the path He has set before us. Examining ourselves means we wholeheartedly ask a Mighty God to help us understand the depths of our hearts and to be prepared to repent of whatever God makes clear to us. Once again, easier to type than to do. So, the battle rages on…
Or does it? Not everything has to be about the pain and agony of being a Christian soldier. In your examination do you chose to see the joy, contentment, peace, growth that God has bestowed as blessings unto you? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who said that they came to a saving grace knowledge of Jesus Christ for the suffering of being of follower of His (unless you’re Brother Lawrence, you should read his book). Be mindful that self-examination is done in humility and not humiliation. El Elyon does not humiliate us, our adversary does.
We may all fall short of the glory of God but when Jesus said, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them.” (John 14:23) He didn’t say anything about failure. Au contraire, He’ll go on to encourage, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27) If Jesus is in us, then what can be against us?
Ya see, we need to spend time in this examination so we aren’t disqualifying ourselves. We need to lean NOT on our own understanding, but in EVERY way acknowledge God and He’ll direct our paths so we don’t find ourselves returning to a life polluted by sin. And keeping in mind that “if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John1:9).
Ultimately, if we would judge ourselves, we wouldn’t needed to be judged and even in that our thoughts should be held captive to the obedience of Christ. Being a Christian solider is more than many of us really know, but if we’re abiding in the One who told us, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b) then we can examine ourselves, and be at peace. Amen?
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can e-mail at cphughes515@verizon.net.
Think About This: “You are a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting, and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict.” -John Chrysostom
The Daily Bible Reading: Reflection | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. –Ephesians 5:1-2
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more