2 Corinthians 13:5
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you
not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed
you fail the test?”
There
is so much about walking with Christ in salvation that is important. Perhaps this message from the Apostle Paul is
one of those critical things that we must do as Christians on a daily basis.
We
too often fall into judging and blaming others without looking at ourselves.
Christ was constantly addressing this human flaw whether it was in Matthew 7:1
where He said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” Or in John 8:7
when our Lord said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to
throw a stone at her.” How often can a person be honest with themselves? Who
among us can look within our own heart and be honest about our own flaws, which
are sin in so much as our character does not perfectly align with the character
of Christ.
Trust
me, just as we see the flaws in another, they see our flaws as well. Therefore
it is critical to be in state of constant HONEST reflection of our character so
that we will not fulfill Jesus’ admonishment in Matthew 7 & Luke 6:41 where
He said, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do
not notice the log that is in your own eye?” We must do as Paul says and not
only recognize the Christ that is in us, but we must also recognize the
character flaws that are not Christ.
Are
we quick to anger? This is not Christ. Are we judgmental? This is not Christ.
Are we constantly blaming someone else for who we are, or how we act? This is
not Christ. Jesus from His very birth was persecuted. If anyone deserved to
have a bad attitude about life, or an excuse for bad behavior it was Him.
Do
we lack peace, and find ourselves in a constant state of stress and worry over
finances, children, spouses, work, etc. This is not Christ in us. This is the
testing of our character, and to see if through self-reflection and self-examination
we will allow the Holy Spirit to perfect Christ’s character within us.
Mind
you that I do not believe a single Christian goes through life trying to harm
anyone. Many with good intent offer “constructive” criticism or “godly” advice
when, if they would honestly examine their own heart in comparison to Jesus,
they would find the evil they are confronting is their own ignorance and lack
of understanding. This good intent is rejected because the hypocrite in us all
outshines the good intentions.
Or
do we suppose that our ability to pretend in public has become the sinless,
perfect character we project? We can pretend all we want, but Jesus reminds us
in Mark 4:22, “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything
been secret, but that it would come to light.” Truth, included the absolute
truth of our character and the magnitude of Christ within us will be revealed.
We must examine ourselves! When we truthfully examine ourselves, when we
confess to the Father in prayer we will experience the forgiving power of God’s
grace. We will become like the woman in Luke 7:47 where Jesus describes this
affect, “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been
forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
If
we will test and examine ourselves our contributions to humanity will be love,
not constructive criticism. Our contributions will be empathy and forgiveness,
not judgment and advice. If we will get truthful with ourselves then we will
with are very life not only be a disciple, but disciple others into the love of
the Father, and into relationship with Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.
And
I write to myself for I am a sinner with many flaws. I also know that I will
always be a sinner, that I will NEVER arrive. But through self-reflection,
through honest prayer to my Father I am decreasing so that Christ may increase.
This is my path. Will you join me?
