Suzy Q
June 15th, 2007, 02:36 PM
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ’s Presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when you aren’t at all? (TLB)
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Just as Paul was asking the people of Corinth to seriously examine themselves, we too should do the same from time to time. It is easy to get stuck in a rut or routine, and just continue doing things for the sake of doing them and nothing more. Then one day we realize we have lost something; something important. It might be faith, or trust, or having a contrite heart. Whatever the missing ingredient is, we must fight to reclaim it. Otherwise we are at best robots going through the motions and we know God didn’t create robots.
Perhaps today is a good day for you to perform a “self check.” You can ask yourself: Do I pray because I want and need to or because it is a duty? Do I relish reading the Word or do I quickly skim over the pages so I can say, “I read my Bible today?” Do I feel the Lord’s Presence or do I even stop in my busy day to notice? Do I look to Christ for strength or am I replying on self? Do I follow God’s direction in the areas of nutrition and exercise or do I tend to do “my own thing?”
It is important to answer honestly. Otherwise you will not be able to form an accurate self-evaluation. Ask the Lord to reveal any weaknesses or places in your heart where you are out of touch with Him. Then immediately do whatever is necessary to get back on track. Self evaluation is one test from which no Christian is ever excused.
By Cheryll Mayberry-Smith
“Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ’s Presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when you aren’t at all? (TLB)
****************************************
Just as Paul was asking the people of Corinth to seriously examine themselves, we too should do the same from time to time. It is easy to get stuck in a rut or routine, and just continue doing things for the sake of doing them and nothing more. Then one day we realize we have lost something; something important. It might be faith, or trust, or having a contrite heart. Whatever the missing ingredient is, we must fight to reclaim it. Otherwise we are at best robots going through the motions and we know God didn’t create robots.
Perhaps today is a good day for you to perform a “self check.” You can ask yourself: Do I pray because I want and need to or because it is a duty? Do I relish reading the Word or do I quickly skim over the pages so I can say, “I read my Bible today?” Do I feel the Lord’s Presence or do I even stop in my busy day to notice? Do I look to Christ for strength or am I replying on self? Do I follow God’s direction in the areas of nutrition and exercise or do I tend to do “my own thing?”
It is important to answer honestly. Otherwise you will not be able to form an accurate self-evaluation. Ask the Lord to reveal any weaknesses or places in your heart where you are out of touch with Him. Then immediately do whatever is necessary to get back on track. Self evaluation is one test from which no Christian is ever excused.
By Cheryll Mayberry-Smith