Examination and Effort

2 Cor. 13:5

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!

Examine yourselves, Test yourselves. This message seems to be a valid one. If Christ is in the life, then the life should reflect Jesus Christ. Peter says something similar in 1 Pet. 4:17, For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Living the Christian life is one that requires examination, a careful looking over what personal values and actions reveal. Then again in 2 Pet.1:5, Peter says, For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. These qualities should be evident in the life when Jesus Christ resides in the heart. They keep a person from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then Peter gives an even sterner warning in v. 9, for whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Yikes! How horrible it would be to deceive yourself to the degree that you were blind to the truth of the state of your own soul! Then in v. 10, Peter says, Therefore brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. The Christian life takes diligence, careful examination, and effort. Growth must be an integral part of the believer's life. 

Father,

Open my eyes to the truth of my own soul. Help me not to deceive myself. Lord, I so want to grow in You. Give me more grace to grow in these qualities so that I can be effective in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His name,

Amen