Examine ourselves - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Jesu Jevu!

   Please pray for the Teresa & Donnie Jones family as they lost a son to a car wreck on May 18 (yesterday). 

   Examine ourselves----why?  If we don't do a spiritual self examination, then our ways may wander.  A  cabinet maker examines his work for flaws.    An account examines his work for accuracy.  A mechanic examines his work for errors.  And we could go on and on.  BUT, do we examine our ways and check our spiritual accuracy?  Probably not.

   When Christ had the last supper he said eat of his body, drink of his blood.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians if we don't examine ourselves and partake of the last supper (communion) unworthily we eateth and drinketh damnation to ourselves.

   So, is self examination necessary?  Yes!  However, we must not hang our heads but go forth in the word, in the spirit, knowing we are God's children.  2 Corinthians 13 Paul is telling the Corinthians, basically, to get right with God.  This is his third time to come to them and he says if he has to come (v2) "I will not spare" - meaning he will chastise them for their wrong doings in Christ.

   2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.  Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

  Wow!  Is this straight forward or what?  Obviously Paul is not a politician but speaks the truth.  The purpose of self examination is not to see if you have salvation; but to ensure you are following God's word.  That our actions, thoughts, and words are of acceptable standards to God.  Works are not assurances of salvation.  Works alone will gain you nothing; so, we need to be certain we are in the Spirit and totally acceptable to God.  How are we totally acceptable to God?  Through Jesus Christ, whom we accept as our saviour.  So, now the question is are you a reprobate or acceptable?  Then, with either answer, what are you going to do now, today?

    As I sit on the back porch I hear the wind whistle by, know God sent it; I look at the nature before me and know God created it.  I look at life itself and know that God created it from dirt and  breathed life into the nostrils of man.  Do I know God exists? YES, definitely.  Will I follow Him, yes, to the best of my ability; yet know I am forgiven of all my sins - past, present, and future.  Pray for many, pray for all, pray for Clayton Johnson. Love you all.

Soli Deo Gloria

Johnny

p.s. pray for me as I pray for you!