Mr. M Posted October 13, 2023 Group: Royal Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 743 Topics Per Day: 1.35 Content Count: 3,893 Content Per Day: 7.09 Reputation: 1,797 Days Won: 12 Joined: 10/28/2022 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/18/1956 Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) A key word from Paul's teaching that is most applicable here is 'examine'. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? This cannot be a "morbid introspection", but a willingness to invite the Holy Spirit to do what we cannot. He is not going to force His way in, and there is an element of courage to accept what may come forth from this personal visitation. This we are taught from the Psalms of David. Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. Psalm 139: 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. From experience I know from praying this, that what the Holy Spirit reveals to us concerning our carnal mind can be quite humiliating, while equally cleansing. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Even as Paul admonishes in Romans 11: "Therefore consider the goodness AND severity of God" This becomes literally a life and death issue for vital fellowship! 1 Corinthians 11: 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. The visitation of the Lord is life sustaining! Job 10:12 Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. 13 And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee. Edited October 13, 2023 by Mr. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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