Examine Yourself

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2Corinthians 13:5)

 

Paul encouraged the Corinthian believers to examine themselves to see if they really were or not in Christ. Self-examination is an important and necessary task that all Christians should engage in. No knowledge is as important to believers as the certainty that they have eternal life. It is very important that we understand that it is possible for a Christian to become disqualified before God, if he ceases walking in the light (cf. 1John 1:5-7).

 

We must beware of the deceitfulness of our own hearts! We (humans) are typically quite skilled at rationalizing away sinful behavior, if our desire is strong enough. Children of God can fall into the same trap. Therefore, the need for self-examination should be obvious. We need to determine whether, or not, salvation is a present reality in our lives.
 

Every Christian desires to have the assurance of salvation, the certainty that when Christ returns or when death comes, he/she will go to be with the Lord in heaven. John’s purpose of writing 1John was that God’s people may have that assurance (1Jn 5:13).

 

So, how do we know? The following are some passages from John’s writings that can help us.
 
1) We have the assurance of eternal life if we believe “in the name of Jesus, the son of God.” There is no eternal life or assurance without an earnest faith in Jesus, that confesses Him as God’s Son, sent to be our Lord and Savior (1Jn 5:13; 4:15; 5:1, 5).
 
2) We have the assurance if we are honoring Christ as Lord of our lives and are sincerely trying to obey His commands (1Jn 2:3-5; 3:24; 5:2; Jn 8:31, 51; 14:21-24; 15:9-14; Heb 5:9).
 
3) We have the assurance if we love the Father and the Son rather than the world (1Jn 2:15-16; 4:4-6; 5:4).
 
4) We have the assurance if we habitually and persistently practice righteousness rather than sin (1jn 2:29; 3:7-10).
 
5) We have the assurance if we love our brothers and sisters (1Jn 3:14, 19; 2:9-11; 4:8, 11-12, 16, 20; 5:1; Jn 13:34-35).
 
6) We have the assurance if we are conscious of the Holy Spirit’s dwelling within us (1Jn 3:24; 4:13)
 
7) We have the assurance if we strive to follow Jesus’ example and live as He lived (1Jn 2:6; cf. Jn 8:12).
 

8) We have assurance if we believe, accept, obey and remain in the Word (1Jn 2:24; 1:1-5; 4:6)

 

May you find the assurance you need as you examine your life continually, carefully, honestly and prayerfully.