| | | | Auto-Correct for Christians - 2 Corinthians 13:5-9 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won't need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature. 2 Corinthians 13:5-9 (NLT)
In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul spoke plainly about the issues that needed to be addressed in the church, and then he gave the Corinthians some sound advise: He told them to correct themselves, so that Paul wouldn't have to correct them when he came. I'm sure Paul's letter stung when it was read in the church, as no one likes to have their sins pointed out. But Paul's point was that if they would just grow up, and live like they knew they should live, Paul wouldn't have to point out their sin in the first place.
This problem still exists today, in that we Christians know the truth, but sometimes we choose not to obey the truth! The rub comes, as Paul noted, in that we cannot oppose the truth. Sin is always exposed, and the consequences of sin always come calling. By refusing to correct ourselves, we place ourselves in the same position as the Corinthian church: Having to be corrected by someone else, be it the legal authorities, the church, a friend, or God Himself!
How much easier it is when we are willing to examine our own lives, and allow the Lord to reveal areas that aren't aligned with Him, and be willing to correct those areas on our own. You could call it "auto-correct" for Christians!
This is not an easy task, as it requires being honest with ourselves, being honest with God, being willing to make the hard decision to following through with what the Lord reveals.
But I believe the result is worth it, as we learn a pattern of being open and transparent before God, and allowing His Spirit to convict us of area's where we're off base. See, that's when the much more grace of God is engaged in our lives, to empower us to walk in the light as a reflection of Christ to the world around us.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
Pastor Clay | | | | | | | |
