Examine Yourself

When the very essence of a man’s belief system is challenged, the man rises in arms in order to defend it. This had been the norm from the beginning; in some religions they become destructive in order to defend the system they strongly believe in. However, if the foundation of what you believe in is not challenged you might be deceived to think your way is right and the truth. A day is coming that will reveal the truth about the diverse belief systems in the world, whether the world likes it or not. As a child of God though, we are not to rise up in arms against those that challenge our faith or dismiss them but we must be open enough to take in the criticisms and or corrections and analyse them based on the Light of the Word of God. Once it fails this test, we discard them. No one is saying you are not declaring or living the truth, but if it is done without LOVE, it is a PERVERSION of the Truth! The reason why evil has thrived and will continue to thrive is because so many are averse to hearing or even considering that something might be wrong with their foundational beliefs. The truth is: the ability to take these assumptions and match them up righteously against God’s Word is what sets us apart from stereotypes as growing sons of God. What makes our light shine as children of God is not based on what people have said over our lives or the “truth” we profess but how our lives (speech and actions) reflect the “truth” we profess! The Bible says in 2Corinthians 13:5 “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not recognise for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless you fail the test.” This is a test we must carry out on ourselves from time to time so as not to fall into the error of the Pharisees. In John 8:34-59, Christ challenged the foundation of the Jewish faith and so many picked up stones to stone Him. He told them if they actually lived what they professed they would not disbelieve Him because that truth was from Him, but because they are hypocrites they are ready to kill Him for challenging their faith. He then declared in verse 47 “The One who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.” Friends, we are not to take offence when our faith is challenged, rather we should see it as an opportunity to testify about the faith we believe and hold dearly to. It is not for us to make excuses or rationalize the criticisms and our behaviours away; once we do this, then, there is a problem with our faith and we are in danger of being termed hypocrites. So many today, like the Jews claim to be sons of God but their lifestyles (speech and actions) prove otherwise. If suddenly your lifestyle is beginning to negate the truth of Christ you have received it is time to quickly run back to the Fountain of Life that is able to wash and renew your faith. King David by the leading of the Holy Spirit puts it more clearly when he declared in Psalms 86:11 “Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.” Friend, this walk and way of life we cannot do on our own, we need His grace, mercy and power to attain it. He is the One that MUST teach us. May the Strength of Israel continue to be with you as you walk this path and keep you to the end in Jesus Christ name. God bless you.