The Prophetic Word - Days 77 thru 82: Examine Yourself

The Prophetic Word

Day 77: Examine yourself.

In preparation for our discussion over the next five days, please carefully read and meditate on the following scriptures:

“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”

1 Corinthians 11:27-32 NLT

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.”

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NLT

“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:8-11 NLT

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 NLT

“That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)”

Romans 8:8-9 NLT

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

Galatians 6:4-5 NLT

Christians who never examine themselves will never mature into the likeness of our Lord.

As well, Christians who do become aware of where their ways of being and doing differ from the Lord’s instruction, yet do nothing to adjust their ways, are in for big trouble.

Tomorrow we will begin our investigation into the most important self-exam.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming. Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 78: Ignorance is neither bliss nor innocence.

“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.”

1 Corinthians 11:27-31 NLT

My father used to tell (with great glee) a true story about a man with whom he was trying to share the gospel. As he had begun to speak, the man objected, saying, “Stop preacher, don’t say anything more. The Bible says that to whom much is given, much is required.” To which my father responded, “Friend, you already know too much!” At this point in the telling of the story my father would always laugh and remark about the fact that we make ourselves foolish in the ways we try to get out of doing what is right.

Now, the scripture that man was referencing is this:

““And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”

Luke 12:47-48 NLT

Indeed, in the telling of this parable, Jesus is confirming that our punishment for doing the wrong thing will be based according to what we knew.

But notice, even the one who didn’t know what was required, was punished; just not as severely. So clearly, ignorance is not freedom from responsibility OR penalty.

In this experience my father was sharing, we see a person who is already aware that they are responsible to know what the Lord requires. Therefore, his willful ignorance, had already put him in a bad spot.

Certainly, some question why people would be punished if they hadn’t known about God or His ways. But—as we see in the word of God—no one can use ignorance to excuse their disobedience, as God has put who He is in the creation for all to see.

“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.”

Romans 1:19-21 NLT

The fact is, EVERYONE will give an account for what has been done in this life. Therefore, it would behoove us to take stock of ourselves to see if we are lining up with what God requires.

We see time and again throughout the Old Testament God’s people being judged because they refused to adhere to what He required. As well, their ignorance of what their sin was doing to them, put them in an even worse position.

In one place, the Lord references the fact that the mixing of His people with the ungodly has sapped their strength; yet they were ignorant of their pitiful state!

“The people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, making themselves as worthless as a half-baked cake! Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it. Their hair is gray, but they don’t realize they’re old and weak. Their arrogance testifies against them, yet they don’t return to the Lord their God or even try to find him.”

Hosea 7:8-10 NLT

In the book of Revelation the Lord scolds Laodicea (the lukewarm church) for being totally oblivious of their compromised condition.

“You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

Revelation 3:17 NLT

In both of these examples (the Jews and the Laodicean church) we find warnings that failure to change will result in punishment.

In our opening scripture we see Paul instructing the church at Corinth concerning their conduct when they come together for the Lord’s supper.

The context of this instruction is that there were many who were disrespecting the holy meal by putting themselves before others, treating each other badly, and partaking of the Lord’s supper as if it were just another opportunity to eat.

Paul gives them some very valuable advice by instructing that they should examine themselves before partaking in this holy meal.

Now, as noted, this was in the context of the need to remember what the Lord’s Table represented: the death of Jesus Christ. But make no mistake, the imperative to be conscious of where we stand by examining ourselves, must be heeded in terms of the whole spectrum of our lives and our living. We will discuss this more tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 79: Diagnosis without treatment does not bring health.

“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:8-11 NLT

Imagine this scenario: You get up after a long night’s sleep and walk to your mirror. You see your hair disheveled, your eyes matted, your mouth crusted, and any number of other things rendering you not ready for primetime, including your ragged sleep shirt. Then, you turn from the mirror and go get in your car to go to church.

Now, you are ready, aren’t you? Didn’t you see what was wrong with your appearance? Oh, wait, the problem is that you didn’t do anything about what you saw!

“For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.”

James 1:23-24 AMP

This is exactly the point James was making in the above scripture. Not doing what the word says, makes you like the person who sees how they looked, but walks away, forgetting what they needed to do about their appearance.

You see, some people will hear a discussion such as we are having about the need for self-examination and assume that knowing what the word says, or knowing where we’re lacking, somehow fills the obligation of self-examination.

Let’s look at Jesus’ parable about two builders:

““So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.””

Luke 6:46-49 NLT

We see in this parable two men who both apparently built decent houses. The issue was not the structure of the house, but on what it was built. You see, a storm came to each house, with only one standing the test: the one built on the firm foundation.

The reference to a foundation of sand in the parable indicates basing our lives on worldly things, things given to change.

On the other hand, every time we become aware of an area in our lives not lining up with the word of God and we correct it, we are building a firmer and firmer foundation for our lives.

In our opening scripture see Peter warning Christians who have “forgotten” that they were cleansed from their sins.

He began this discourse by talking about all the wonderful promises we have been given through which we may be partakers of the divine nature. He then gives a reminder that we must add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love.

He then shares that the person with these characteristics will not be unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, it won’t just be “head knowledge,” it will be manifested in the person’s being and doing.

Then, we come to what Peter says in our opening scripture about making sure our lives are reflecting that we have answered the call of Christ (our salvation and the resulting obedience to Christ as Lord).

Let’s look at 2 Peter 1:10 in another translation:

“Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin];”

2 Peter 1:10 AMP

Yes, what makes the self-examination beneficial is the application. That is, whatever we come to see in our self-examination that does not line up with what God has said, must be corrected. We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 80: Other people are not the standard for our self-examination.

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.”

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NLT

If you choose one child out of a group of children to correct concerning their behavior, there is a very good chance that the child will immediately point to someone else in the group, accusing them of wrong doing. Now, that’s what children do…right? Well, sadly, it’s also what many adults do in terms of estimating their own faults.

Paul, in instructing the churches of Galatia, tells them basically what I said to my sons often as they were growing up. You see, when they would take note of someone else’s indiscretions, I would remind them that, “It won’t look any better on you.” My point to them was that it’s easy to see and condemn the faults in others, yet allow those same things in oneself.

Now, if you put together the “what about-ism” we referenced in terms of “children’s” behavior, with the fact that we tend to subject others’ behavior to greater scrutiny than our own, you come up with the perfect formula for self-righteousness judgmentalism.

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

Galatians 6:1-5 NLT

In addressing some of his self-righteous critics, Paul offers this bit of sarcastic truth:

“Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!”

2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT

There it is: Using other people as your standard of measure is foolish!

Indeed, Jesus warned that we not magnify others’ faults while minimizing our own.

“Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Matthew 7:3-5 AMP

As well, Jesus told this parable to illustrate the same point:

“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””

Luke 18:9-14 NLT

In our opening scripture we see Paul addressing some obstinate sinners who were questioning his authority to correct them. He basically tells them to take a good look at their own behavior and then they would be in a better position to challenge him.

As we have been discussing, self-examination is crucial to living lives that reflect Christ.

Let’s leave the, “What about Susie/Sammy?” attitude to children. Let’s let the light of the Lord illuminate our lives so that we can better assess our own obedience to Christ.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 81: If the fruit isn’t there, He isn’t there.

“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Romans 8:9, 12-14 NLT

The ability to rightly see ourselves is dependent upon the abiding Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As well, the ability to be conformed into the image of Christ is impossible without the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment.

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

Galatians 5:16, 19-25 NLT

Also, we would not be warned against quenching or offending the Holy Spirit if that weren’t possible.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].”

Ephesians 4:30 AMP

“Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NLT

We stifle the Holy Spirit by repeatedly rejecting His correction and walking in obstinate disobedience.

The point here is this: Yes, it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be conformed into the image of our Lord (sanctification: separation unto God). But, if we do not cooperate by listening to His voice and doing the things that are pleasing to Him, that will never happen; and indeed, we could end up deaf to Him.

So, how can you know if the Holy Spirit is active in your life? Let’s look back at part of the passage in Galatians 5:

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

“Fruit of the Spirit” is just that: the fruit that grows from the Holy Spirit! So, if the characteristics of the Spirit’s fruit are not manifesting in someone’s life, we must assume that the Holy Spirit is not present; or, He is being ignored, which won’t last long.

Our opening scripture is at once a very sobering word and a very empowering word. Whereas, Paul makes clear that if the Holy Spirit is not operating in us, then we don’t belong to the Lord, he also makes clear that if we will follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, we will become just like our Lord, we will be His children!

Again, our process of genuine self-examination is only made possible by the Holy Spirit. As well, He gives us the power to change. Change comes through obedience to Him. But, if there is no change, there is no Spirit. If we do not have His Spirit, we are not His.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 82: Are you salty and bright?

““You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:13-16 NLT

David prayed a prayer we should all pray:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalms 139:23-24 NLT

The fact is, without actively seeking to become aware of unsanctified areas in our lives, we will become spiritually stunted; and, in some cases, going without self-examination leads to falling away from faith. It’s not a chance we should take.

Over the last several days we have been discussing the need for self-examination to know whether our lives confirm our confession.

As well, self-examination will help us to see whether or not we are living in such a way that our lives are a source of evangelism, drawing others to the knowledge of the truth.

“Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”

1 Peter 2:11-12 NLT

In our opening scripture we see Jesus saying that we are salt and light to the world. And, as He said, if salt isn’t salty, it’s not good for anything. We certainly won’t make anyone thirsty for living water. As well, if the light (the life of Christ) in us doesn’t show, the darkness is uninterrupted by our presence, and the way to safety stays unilluminated.

Friend, let’s not be blind to our shortcomings. By the help of the Holy Spirit, let’s know how we’re doing and leave no place for the devil (to use) in our lives. Conversely, let’s make sure all areas in our lives are usable to our Lord.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!