Sunday, November 5, 2006

This Is A Test!


This Is A Test!
Brad Reiches
Nov 5 2006 10:50PM

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Monday, Noveber 6, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!
"This Is A Test!"
There is a EXTREMELY IMPORTANT discipleship concept found throughout the New Testament that is largely overlooked in today's church culture because its application contradicts the theology of cheap grace so prominent in modern teaching.  It is the concept of self-examination.  Consider the following verses:
"A man must examine himself...if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged." ( 1 Corinthians 11:28, 31).

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!  Or do you not recongnize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" ( 2 Corinthians 13:5).

"Each one must examine his own work..." ( Galatians 6:4).

"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching" ( 1 Timothy 4:16).

"Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you..." ( 2 Peter 1:10).

Clearly, the practice of self-evaluation is intended to be an integral part of the successful Christian walk.  Why?

Well, we have several answers directly found within the context of the aforementioned scriptures themselves:

1.  To avoid judgement.
2.  To determine the status of our faith.
3.  To guard against self-deception.
4.  To verify and affirm God's leading and direction in our lives.

The Bible warns us that "In these last days" (see Hebrews 1:2), many will fall away because of deception and delusion.  One of the reasons for such tragedy is the unwillingness to "examine ourselves."

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