Examine Yourselves

1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13 

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?…May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2 Corinthians 13:5, 14

Paul’s invitation to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith requires evidence that the living presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit indwells us. His benediction points to the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Are we experiencing God in these ways?

This test is more than a doctrinal test listing propositional truths we know in our minds. The reality of Christ in us means we are experiencing God’s grace, love, and fellowship each day. To be “in the faith” is to be “in Christ” and Christ in us. Jesus is daily prompting us, encouraging us, convicting us, and leading us. We do not fear when we are walking with Christ. This is a test worth taking.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for your living presence within me, and for your love filling me this day, for your glory.”