............we examined Paul's exhortation to the church in Corinth to examine themselves and to test themselves to see if they were indeed genuine followers of Christ or counterfiets. This is an act of maturity to examine one's self and to be real with what we see.
Our text was on 2 Corinthians 13:5:
"5 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? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (2 Co 13:5-10). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
- Examine yourself and see if you are saved! Since no one can tell you if you are saved or not, you must examine yourself in light of scripture to see if this is true of you. So are you?
- If you have no realization that Christ is in you, then, Paul asks, have you failed the test? Or, are you a counterfeit?
- The truth is what we all need and we need the truth spoken to us firmly and lovingly. It's amazing how backwards and upside down the Corinthian church was and yet Paul had the eyes of God to see them...with grace. I reminded that when we speak to young people or even to other adults we need to see them, speak to them, love them and encourage them not by kicking them in the butts (although it might cross our minds) but by leading them and showing them that when we are weak, Christ is strong. Jesus didn't say, "Get the lead out!" He said, "Follow Me!"
-I asked our youth to examine themselves, repent today, trust Jesus today, and if they need it, get accountability today!
Parents, please read 2 Corinthians 13:5-10, and examine yourselves. Maybe go to your youth and boast in your weaknesses, ask for forgiveness and make Christ everything. Then maybe chat with your youth about what they might have discovered by examining themselves.
Next week...Good and Rotten fruit
I thank God for you all!
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