Post by Cindy on Sept 3, 2016 9:45:52 GMT -5
We're told to examine ourselves regularly and I try to do that. One thing I ask myself is if I'm different from the majority of the people around me. Why? Because God says we're supposed to be different from unbelievers. In fact, the more we grow in our faith, the more that difference will show. It's like that saying, "if you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence against you?"
I'd like to really reflect on that. If you have children, do they look, act, and sound different than the majority of children when they go to school? I've seen the way children dress now days, and it's often in ways God wouldn't approve of. Then, what about adults? Are they kind, helpful, respectful of others, and put others needs and interests before their own, or are they selfish? Do they retaliate when they've been hurt, or do they forgive the way the Lord forgives us? Do they swear or tell vulgar jokes or stories? Do they gossip about other people, or put others down? Do they pray and read their bible daily? Or are they too busy playing or doing homework to have time for the Lord? If you can't tell the difference between a Christian child and a child who doesn't know the Lord, then chances are your child doesn't know the Lord either.
We can and should ask these same questions about ourselves as well. I know when I ask myself these kind of questions, I always see areas that I need to work on with God's help. Thankfully though, as this is something I've done for quite awhile now, I can also see areas that God has helped me grow in. Examining ourselves, and our children in this way helps us recognize where we need help. We can't live the way the Lord tells us to unless we have Him dwelling within us, and have been changed inside. As we study His Word daily, His Word continues that change in us that was begun at our salvation, constantly working within us to make us more and more like Jesus. Remember that we can't make any lasting change without Him, and that He works in us through His Word. Therefore, spending time in His Word with Him daily is a must, just as He tells us that it is.
“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?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
I'd like to really reflect on that. If you have children, do they look, act, and sound different than the majority of children when they go to school? I've seen the way children dress now days, and it's often in ways God wouldn't approve of. Then, what about adults? Are they kind, helpful, respectful of others, and put others needs and interests before their own, or are they selfish? Do they retaliate when they've been hurt, or do they forgive the way the Lord forgives us? Do they swear or tell vulgar jokes or stories? Do they gossip about other people, or put others down? Do they pray and read their bible daily? Or are they too busy playing or doing homework to have time for the Lord? If you can't tell the difference between a Christian child and a child who doesn't know the Lord, then chances are your child doesn't know the Lord either.
We can and should ask these same questions about ourselves as well. I know when I ask myself these kind of questions, I always see areas that I need to work on with God's help. Thankfully though, as this is something I've done for quite awhile now, I can also see areas that God has helped me grow in. Examining ourselves, and our children in this way helps us recognize where we need help. We can't live the way the Lord tells us to unless we have Him dwelling within us, and have been changed inside. As we study His Word daily, His Word continues that change in us that was begun at our salvation, constantly working within us to make us more and more like Jesus. Remember that we can't make any lasting change without Him, and that He works in us through His Word. Therefore, spending time in His Word with Him daily is a must, just as He tells us that it is.
“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?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
!!
