“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
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 427 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!