"EXAMINE YOURSELVES!"

2 Corinthians 13:5-9                          (ESV)
"5 "EXAMINE YOURSELVES", to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is in you?-unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
7 But we pray to GOD that you may not do wrong-not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.
8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for."



It is rather easy to find fault with others!   How many times have you seen someone get on television and brag about their own weaknesses or faults???  We have become familiar with, even expectant, of hearing about someone else's perceived failures and how bad a person they are.  Nobody, especially me, wants to have video evidence of every deed I have ever done broadcast for the world to see!

The Apostle Paul was as devout a follower of CHRIST as anyone recorded in the New Testament.  Yet his instructions were to "EXAMINE YOURSELVES" and make sure you are in the faith!  Not wanting to be highly thought of, he said in verse 6 above "I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test".  There is always a place to be HUMBLE, but a person who is self-centered cannot please GOD (Romans 8:8).

In verse seven Paul wrote the he prayed to GOD that his friends may not do wrong, that they would do what was right!  Not because he wanted glory for their obedience, but because he knew their obedience only meant good things for their lives.  Serving others was what Paul desired to do.  Seeing them prosper made him glad.

FATHER IN HEAVEN, my prayer is that I will be concerned with "EXAMINING MYSELF" and let everyone else take care of "EXAMINING THEMSELVES"!  For all who read this, I pray that you will "EXAMINE YOURSELVES" to see whether you are in the faith?