August 9, 2024 -- II Corinthians 13:5 -- A repeat from New Year, how are you doing in this regard?
/5 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!
II Corinthians 13:5 ESV
Writing to the people of Corinth, the Apostle Paul was defending his apostleship, his leadership and his right to instruct them in the way of Jesus. He turns the tables and calls on the people of the Corinthian church to examine their faith and test their reliance on Jesus Christ. Why? The answer to this question applies to the Corinthians and to us today.
Those who are in Christ are family. We are to live in the grace that God has so richly supplied in Jesus Christ and exercise peace (II Corinthians 1:2). This is not easy. It can be the hardest work we ever do, because by our sinful nature we are prideful and consider others in the wrong without carefully examining our own actions, words and thoughts.
Those who are in Christ, after hard fighting and finding themselves on the path of reconciliation must nurture those tender seedlings of healing. The start of healing can so easily be trampled down and die. Once someone, or all parties, have repented, there must be comfort extended one “or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (II Corinthians 2:7) over his past sins or the community's constant repetition of it.
Those who are in Christ find freedom to live in true community once again “where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom” (II Corinthians 3:17). This is true because every believer has had mountains of his own sins forgiven in Christ. If the people around us knew all the sins we have committed, we'd be just as outcast. Therefore, in the freedom of the Spirit, we know we are forgiven and together we are free to live in true, rich, deep community.
Those who are in Christ do not trumpet their own goals, causes or agendas. No, we desire the light of Christ to shine from us, individually and communally, so that people will know “for what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (II Corinthians 4:5). This is proclaimed from us as people see how we can be reconciled; are ready to hear and humble to be taught.
Those who are in Christ know this test Paul gave to the Corinthians (and to us) is crazy difficult. Our bodies are like jars of clay that can easily be chipped, or cracked, or broken. We withstand however, not in our own strength, but our lives “show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (II Corinthians 4:7-10). All the hurts, frustrations, pains and struggles are purposeful. God is rebuilding each of us from the ground up so that we are temples for His glory.
These five bullet points are just the start of self-examination, self-testing to prove the presence of Jesus and His Spirit’s work in us. Knowing 2024 is about to begin, it makes sense for each and every one of us to look at his or her own life and answer the challenge Paul posed: to test yourself, see how Jesus Christ is in you. Where are you missing out on HIs goodness?
If you are doing well, praise God. If you are struggling or not sure, reach out to a Christian friend whose walk with God you admire and make it your resolution in 2024 to meet the test. Namely that you know Jesus Christ and His Spirit’s surpassing power to walk in new life for Jesus.
Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. As the passage challenges us to examine ourselves we must first, openly confess our stubborn pride. It is easy to see the flaws and faults of others while being completely numb to our own. By Your Spirit’s presence in us break down, brick by brick, the dividing walls of hostility that keep us from truly examining ourselves and from allowing Jesus into every part of our mind, our life, our thoughts and actions. Faithful Father, You are the source of every good gift, we confess how much we need this new life offered through Your Son, and how with one hand we publicly confess our need but on the other hand privately think it applies more urgently to others. It is surely a great miracle of epic proportions that You persist in giving Your people grace so that all vestiges of the old nature and the old, willful self shall one day be completely thrown down. In our lives, in our families, in our church, in our world, Triune God, be glorified. Amen.
https://youtu.be/tstRfOGGgpQ?si=E4prexCYI4QHCxcY Lead On O King Eternal
