Part 1 self-examination

[Thewatchman]

Self-Examination​

​

The decisions we make and the actions we talk have consequences. It is important that we examine ourselves from time to time To make certain our behavior is pleasing to Father. How do we know what is pleasing to God? We study His Word. Father makes it very clear in the bible what pleases Him and what does not please Him. Honest self-examination is difficult to accomplish. Often times what we see with our own eyes is quite different from what the Lord sees with His eyes. Jesus taught us that we some times we don't see to clearly with our own eyes.

Lets go to Luke 6:39 as we start our study.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of spiritual leaders who don't know “their stuff”. They never quite get around to teaching the Word of God. They teach the traditions of men. They are spiritually blind. If you are going to follow someone, you want to follow someone into the ditch.

Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

The student is not above the teacher. Although, a good teacher is able to bring his, or her, level understanding and maturity.

Luke 6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

This is self-examination at its worst. A mote is a speck of sawdust. We often point out the speck of sawdust in someone else eye, but we cannot see the 2x12 beam in your own eye. The beam blocks or spiritual vision.

Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Honest self-examination can lead us to realize we are on the wrong path in life. We can then repent, and get back on the right path.

Lets go to Psalm 119

57Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

The flesh is weak. It is good to do a little self-examination from time to time. We all get off on the wrong track in life. Honest self-examination will allow us to realize when his has happened. Ask yourself “Am I pleasing Father, or not”? If the answer is “not” repent, turn your feet and go back to the path.

60I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

Making hast to keep God's commandments is an excellent place to start getting back on the right path in life.

62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

This is an excellent thing to pray for. Ask Father to teach you His Word. Knowing His Word makes honest self-examination a lot easier. The decisions we make and the actions we take have consequences. We should consider all our ways.

Lets go to the book of Haggai.

1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,2Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

Cyrus the king of Persia, who was named by God before he was born, defeated the Babylonians, and he told Judah to return home and rebuild Jerusalem and the House of God. Judah had been freed from the Babylonian captivity for many years before Darius became king of Persia What had they been doing for those many years?

v.3.Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,4Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

Cield houses were paneled in cedar. They were considered to be extravagant. The people of Judah were so busy building there own fancy homes that they did not have time to work on the House of God. Do you thank God was happy?

1. 
   v.5Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
   
   The people of Judah needed to do a little self-examination, They needed to consider their conduct and the results. They were working hard but bringing in little. Many today are in the same boat. They earn wages and put them in there bank account. By the time they get through making there monthly payments paying exorbitant interest rates, there is nothing left in their account. They have holes in their bag. If this is the situation you find yourself in, consider your ways.
   
   v. 7.Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
   
   Solomon's temple was built of huge cut stones. The wood in Solomon's temple was covered with sheets of gold and silver. Precious stones were utilized to make decorative ornaments. It doesn't take all that to please the Lord. The lord said “bring wood and build the house”.
   
   v.9.Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
   
   The Lord was not happy with Judah's conduct, and Judah wasn't happy with the results of their labors.

V.10Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.

It wasn't a coincidence that Judah expected much and brought home very little. It was a direct consequence of their on actions. They ran to build their own fancy homes while the house of God lie in waste. You may be assured their attention to worship of the Lord was receiving about as much attention as the rebuilding of the temple was receiving. Are you working hard and have little to show for it? A self-examination might be in order. Consider your ways.

This is a good place to top word count. There will be more to follow.

Written with Gods blessings in mind for you and me.

 

[Magenta]

If you are going to follow someone, you want to follow someone into the ditch.

I think/hope you meant to say something else here...

 

[Thewatchman]

You don't want to follow someone into the ditch. Thanks

 

[Thewatchman]

Self-Examination​

​

The decisions we make and the actions we talk have consequences. It is important that we examine ourselves from time to time To make certain our behavior is pleasing to Father. How do we know what is pleasing to God? We study His Word. Father makes it very clear in the bible what pleases Him and what does not please Him. Honest self-examination is difficult to accomplish. Often times what we see with our own eyes is quite different from what the Lord sees with His eyes. Jesus taught us that we some times we don't see to clearly with our own eyes.

Lets go to Luke 6:39 as we start our study.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of spiritual leaders who don't know “their stuff”. They never quite get around to teaching the Word of God. They teach the traditions of men. They are spiritually blind. If you are going to follow someone, you want to follow someone into the ditch.

Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

The student is not above the teacher. Although, a good teacher is able to bring his, or her, level understanding and maturity.

Luke 6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

This is self-examination at its worst. A mote is a speck of sawdust. We often point out the speck of sawdust in someone else eye, but we cannot see the 2x12 beam in your own eye. The beam blocks or spiritual vision.

Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Honest self-examination can lead us to realize we are on the wrong path in life. We can then repent, and get back on the right path.

Lets go to Psalm 119

57Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

The flesh is weak. It is good to do a little self-examination from time to time. We all get off on the wrong track in life. Honest self-examination will allow us to realize when his has happened. Ask yourself “Am I pleasing Father, or not”? If the answer is “not” repent, turn your feet and go back to the path.

60I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

Making hast to keep God's commandments is an excellent place to start getting back on the right path in life.

62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

This is an excellent thing to pray for. Ask Father to teach you His Word. Knowing His Word makes honest self-examination a lot easier. The decisions we make and the actions we take have consequences. We should consider all our ways.

Lets go to the book of Haggai.

1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,2Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

Cyrus the king of Persia, who was named by God before he was born, defeated the Babylonians, and he told Judah to return home and rebuild Jerusalem and the House of God. Judah had been freed from the Babylonian captivity for many years before Darius became king of Persia What had they been doing for those many years?

v.3.Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,4Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

Cield houses were paneled in cedar. They were considered to be extravagant. The people of Judah were so busy building there own fancy homes that they did not have time to work on the House of God. Do you thank God was happy?

1. 
   v.5Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
   
   The people of Judah needed to do a little self-examination, They needed to consider their conduct and the results. They were working hard but bringing in little. Many today are in the same boat. They earn wages and put them in there bank account. By the time they get through making there monthly payments paying exorbitant interest rates, there is nothing left in their account. They have holes in their bag. If this is the situation you find yourself in, consider your ways.
   
   v. 7.Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
   
   Solomon's temple was built of huge cut stones. The wood in Solomon's temple was covered with sheets of gold and silver. Precious stones were utilized to make decorative ornaments. It doesn't take all that to please the Lord. The lord said “bring wood and build the house”.
   
   v.9.Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
   
   The Lord was not happy with Judah's conduct, and Judah wasn't happy with the results of their labors.

V.10Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.

It wasn't a coincidence that Judah expected much and brought home very little. It was a direct consequence of their on actions. They ran to build their own fancy homes while the house of God lie in waste. You may be assured their attention to worship of the Lord was receiving about as much attention as the rebuilding of the temple was receiving. Are you working hard and have little to show for it? A self-examination might be in order. Consider your ways.

This is a good place to top word count. There will be more to follow.

Written with Gods blessings in mind for you and me.

Last line under first verse Luke 6:39 should read If you are going to follow someone you do not want to follow someone that will lead yo into the ditch.

 

[Webers.Home]

.
• 1Pet 5:8-9 . . Be discreet, stay alert. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls
about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour; whom resist, steadfast
in the faith

The word "discreet" is translated from the Greek word nepho (nay'-fo) which
basically means to abstain from wine. A little wine is harmless; but too much
and the first thing to go is judgment-- especially one's better judgment-- and
then after that folks usually get drowsy and have to "sleep it off".

That's a pretty good figure of speech for depicting folks who've become
careless and let their guard down.

"the faith" isn't only a collection of beliefs, but also a collection of practices,
i.e. behaviors. It's likely a foregone conclusion that a Christian whose faith
consists of only beliefs is just the kind of savory meat the Devil can't resist.
_

 

[Live4Him3]

Well, if you ask me, then self-examination ought to begin here:

"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?" (II Corinthians 13:5)

I've personally met or encountered online (including here) MULTITUDES of professing "Christians" who don't even believe in what the Bible calls "the first principles of the oracles of God" (Heb. 5:12) or "the principles of the doctrine of Christ" (Heb. 6:1).

You know, such "foundational" (Heb. 6:1) principles as "repentance from dead works" (Heb. 6:1), which they'll explain away by claiming that "repentance is just a changing of one's mind", and "the doctrine of baptisms" (Heb. 6:2), while claiming that water baptism is unnecessary.

And what about "the fear of the LORD" which is both "the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7) and "the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9:10)?

Oh, they'll perform every sort of scriptural gymnastics to get that to say everything EXCEPT what it actually means.

Anyhow, it's no wonder that so many professing "Christians" have no idea what they're talking about.

Better than self-examination is to sincerely ask the Lord to examine us.

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.

I've had got beat the devil out of me plenty of times, and I'm thankful for each and every chastening that I've received from him because it is a sign of his love for me.

Here's the scary thing, though, and I'm NOT joking...

Many of the things which God beat out of me, or many of things which I now do that are pleasing in his sight, are the very reasons why most people, professing "Christians" at the top of the list, can't stand me.

It is what it is.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Well, if you ask me, then self-examination ought to begin here:

"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?" (II Corinthians 13:5)

I've personally met or encountered online (including here) MULTITUDES of professing "Christians" who don't even believe in what the Bible calls "the first principles of the oracles of God" (Heb. 5:12) or "the principles of the doctrine of Christ" (Heb. 6:1).

You know, such "foundational" (Heb. 6:1) principles as "repentance from dead works" (Heb. 6:1), which they'll explain away by claiming that "repentance is just a changing of one's mind", and "the doctrine of baptisms" (Heb. 6:2), while claiming that water baptism is unnecessary.

And what about "the fear of the LORD" which is both "the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7) and "the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9:10)?

Oh, they'll perform every sort of scriptural gymnastics to get that to say everything EXCEPT what it actually means.

Anyhow, it's no wonder that so many professing "Christians" have no idea what they're talking about.

Better than self-examination is to sincerely ask the Lord to examine us.

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.

I've had got beat the devil out of me plenty of times, and I'm thankful for each and every chastening that I've received from him because it is a sign of his love for me.

Here's the scary thing, though, and I'm NOT joking...

Many of the things which God beat out of me, or many of things which I now do that are pleasing in his sight, are the very reasons why most people, professing "Christians" at the top of the list, can't stand me.

It is what it is.

Often it can distract us if we’re focused on “ what all the other Christian’s don’t know and what ll the other Christian’s do and don’t do “

It’s better course plot to let God worry about what others do and don’t do and take it one day at a time and Walk in our faith ourself little better each day

judging what other donor don’t do is never going to be the place of any Christian but answering for only what we ourselves do is the place of every Christian

sort of a central place in Christ is here we don’t want to get away from this place when looking at other Christian’s who belong to the same lord

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we see Jesus he’s not going to ask us what everyone else thought and did or our opinion on whether they belong to him

it’s going to be us under the spotlight our deeds , our motivations and desires our secrets that he’s going to be dealing with us about

we should be careful if we’re “ in Christ “ about judging others who belong to him by the price of his suffering and blood

 

[Live4Him3]

Often it can distract us if we’re focused on “ what all the other Christian’s don’t know and what ll the other Christian’s do and don’t do “

It’s better course plot to let God worry about what others do and don’t do and take it one day at a time and Walk in our faith ourself little better each day

judging what other donor don’t do is never going to be the place of any Christian but answering for only what we ourselves do is the place of every Christian

sort of a central place in Christ is here we don’t want to get away from this place when looking at other Christian’s who belong to the same lord

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we see Jesus he’s not going to ask us what everyone else thought and did or our opinion on whether they belong to him

it’s going to be us under the spotlight our deeds , our motivations and desires our secrets that he’s going to be dealing with us about

we should be careful if we’re “ in Christ “ about judging others who belong to him by the price of his suffering and blood

I agree with everything that you said.

However, I was insinuating that not everybody who claims to be our "brother" or "sister" truly is.

Anyhow, to your point, there's this:

John chapter 21

[20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
[21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
[23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

 

[Aaron56]

"So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Jesus was sent to show us the Father.

When Jesus gave the "Great Commission" the disciples knew how to "make disciples" because they were disciples of Jesus.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Disciples necessarily have a relationship with the one who is training them. No where in scripture can you find a disciple who is not known by the one who is raising him or her in the Lord. Or an unreachable pastor who takes months to see.

In Christ, it is appropriate to call a person called to raise up others in Christ a "father in the Lord".

Just like Paul did:

"I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church."

If the church continued this pattern of discipleship there would be far fewer schisms in the church. Instead, the gospel was made into a cognitive exercise and not a pattern of a life lived to Christ by the fathers observed by the sons.

This is the primary way we are to be examined: by fathers charged with giving an account to the Lord, and by sons giving an account to the fathers. Within this arrangement, the spiritual truth of never being left as orphans becomes a tangible reality in the Body of Christ. God is building a dwelling place for Himself whereby each living stone supports the whole as the House of God. And here, "house" means "family.

For those reared in an environment wherein individual rights are supreme, this is difficult to grasp.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I agree with everything that you said.

However, I was insinuating that not everybody who claims to be our "brother" or "sister" truly is.

Anyhow, to your point, there's this:

John chapter 21

[20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
[21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
[23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

yes it wasnt a criticism of what you said , was just adding some thoughts to what you said I had agreement with your post also sorry if it seemed else wise. Just sharing some thoughts after reading that post

What my usable point was , was that it’s easy for us to look at the church as a whole and get frustrated by the lack of maturity we perceive. Was just a word of an old guy , it’s easy to let that distract us from our daily walk provable to only our own self according to the level of understanding we have of the gospel

there are so many distractions in our lives , one of them is when we let our eyes look too much at what another person is saying and doing in their life , or at the differences in the details of beliefs

in Roman’s 14 Paul’s addressing the situation of Jew and gentile being in one church . The Jews because of Moses law insisted on the clean and unclean food laws , and observance of sabbath days ect they wanted this to become actual Christian doctrine requirements to basically convert to Judaism first be circumcised d obey Moses law then they could become Christian’s

so there were others on the church who were gentile d didn’t believe observance of Moses law was part of Christianity so what food we eat does that impact our relationship with Christ ?

As Moses law clearly says it impacts Israel’s relationship with God ? What happens if two groups upon this division. Come one group ?

you have to accept each other’s differences and. Ot insist each other conform to the others belief

let those who believe sabbath keeping is Essential and Moses law is to be observed observe those things in clean conscience because they believe they must

and let those who understand the principle of faith in Christ by his word , observe the things Jesus said are necassary to belong to him.

but let them co exist without envy or accusation against the others who don’t understand the same things we do

so Paul wrote this to this church having dosagreements about these foods and special sabbaths and days to observe

See my point was that if others do t believe every detail we do or do everything we do this is what accepting other ho may have differing details tou observe like a sabbath day this doesn’t make the. Wrong or right it means they are fulfilling thier faith accepting each other anyways in Christ is the church

“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

For one believeth that he may eat all things:

another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

One man esteemeth one day above another: ( sabbath )

another esteemeth every day alike.

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord;

and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks;

and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:1-13‬ ‭

My point is that we do have an account to give it’s what we have said and done in life. And we will never have to answer for what another person did or said at judgement.

and Paul is saying that if one Christian believes they must observe the sabbath , we can’t insist that another Christian must observe the sabbath

if one Christian thinks eating pork is a sin and another believes eating meat I a sin and another will eat anything each person needs to observe that conviction within fornthier own conscience and self but refrain from healing this upon another person who doesn’t believe it’s needed

we can be one body and church without division even if we dont agree on every detail is sort of what I’m saying and if we’re looking at others what they aren’t doing we can never get to that place

but if we’re always monitoring our own words and deeds we can

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Well, if you ask me, then self-examination ought to begin here:

"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?" (II Corinthians 13:5)

This is a necessity for those who point fingers at other Christians like the Corinthians did with Paul.

We are all critics; but when we point fingers at others it seems necessary to examine ourselves first and foremost.

Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

 

[Live4Him3]

yes it wasnt a criticism of what you said , was just adding some thoughts to what you said I had agreement with your post also sorry if it seemed else wise. Just sharing some thoughts after reading that post

What my usable point was , was that it’s easy for us to look at the church as a whole and get frustrated by the lack of maturity we perceive. Was just a word of an old guy , it’s easy to let that distract us from our daily walk provable to only our own self according to the level of understanding we have of the gospel

there are so many distractions in our lives , one of them is when we let our eyes look too much at what another person is saying and doing in their life , or at the differences in the details of beliefs

in Roman’s 14 Paul’s addressing the situation of Jew and gentile being in one church . The Jews because of Moses law insisted on the clean and unclean food laws , and observance of sabbath days ect they wanted this to become actual Christian doctrine requirements to basically convert to Judaism first be circumcised d obey Moses law then they could become Christian’s

so there were others on the church who were gentile d didn’t believe observance of Moses law was part of Christianity so what food we eat does that impact our relationship with Christ ?

As Moses law clearly says it impacts Israel’s relationship with God ? What happens if two groups upon this division. Come one group ?

you have to accept each other’s differences and. Ot insist each other conform to the others belief

let those who believe sabbath keeping is Essential and Moses law is to be observed observe those things in clean conscience because they believe they must

and let those who understand the principle of faith in Christ by his word , observe the things Jesus said are necassary to belong to him.

but let them co exist without envy or accusation against the others who don’t understand the same things we do

so Paul wrote this to this church having dosagreements about these foods and special sabbaths and days to observe

See my point was that if others do t believe every detail we do or do everything we do this is what accepting other ho may have differing details tou observe like a sabbath day this doesn’t make the. Wrong or right it means they are fulfilling thier faith accepting each other anyways in Christ is the church

“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

For one believeth that he may eat all things:

another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

One man esteemeth one day above another: ( sabbath )

another esteemeth every day alike.

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord;

and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks;

and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:1-13‬ ‭

My point is that we do have an account to give it’s what we have said and done in life. And we will never have to answer for what another person did or said at judgement.

and Paul is saying that if one Christian believes they must observe the sabbath , we can’t insist that another Christian must observe the sabbath

if one Christian thinks eating pork is a sin and another believes eating meat I a sin and another will eat anything each person needs to observe that conviction within fornthier own conscience and self but refrain from healing this upon another person who doesn’t believe it’s needed

we can be one body and church without division even if we dont agree on every detail is sort of what I’m saying and if we’re looking at others what they aren’t doing we can never get to that place

but if we’re always monitoring our own words and deeds we can

Again, I agree with everything that you've said here, but it's not really what I was initially referring to.

You're talking about things that don't really affect one's salvation.

I'm talking about things that are foundational in order to be saved.

Anyhow, you don't need to apologize for anything because you haven't said or done anything wrong at all.

 

[Thewatchman]

Part 2 Self- Examination
Lets go to the New Testament Galatians 6.

1.Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

We all fall short from time to time. If a brother sins, be quick to forgive him. If not for the grace of God, there go I.

2.Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3.For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

If after having completed a self-examination you say to yourself, “ boy I am a good person” Be careful! You are most likely deceiving yourself. More on that coming up.

4.But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5.For every man shall bear his own burden.

Don't compare your works with the works of others. We all are given gifts. Take responsibility for your own gifts. Take responsibility for your own gifts. Our responsibilities toward the body of Christ are unique, because our gifts are also unique.

1. 
   6.Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
   
   If you have knowledge of the word, share it with others. Don't hide your knowledge under a bushel or the bed (Mark 4.21)
   
   7.Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8.For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
   
   Our conduct has consequences. We reap what we sow. If after completed a self-examination, you are feeling holier than thou you might want to consider the Pharisee of Luke 18.
   
   Verse 9.And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
   
   The lord doesn't thank much of self-riches hypocrite. In Isiah65:5 Father states those who say “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou” “These are a smoke to my noise, a fire that burneth all the day.”
   
   Verse 10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
   
   The Pharisee is supposedly a religious leader to be respected. The publican is a tax collector, or extortioner. He would have been despised by most people.
   
   Verse 11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
   
   This Pharisee is one who would upon having completed a self-examination would have said “ Boy, I am a great person.” He is deceiving himself.
   
   Verses 12&13: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
   
   An honest self-examination wold ave most of us saying “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Which do you thank was reckoned as righteous, the Pharisee or the publican?

Verse 14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

When you examine yourself, don't be a self- righteous hypocrite. All of our righteousness are as filthy rags.

Isaiah 64:6 Be honest and be humble, when you examine yourself.

In His service, Pastor Dennis.
This was coppied from a sermon given in church a few sundays ago.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Again, I agree with everything that you've said here, but it's not really what I was initially referring to.

You're talking about things that don't really affect one's salvation.

I'm talking about things that are foundational in order to be saved.

Anyhow, you don't need to apologize for anything because you haven't said or done anything wrong at all.

“You're talking about things that don't really affect one's salvation.”

not really no . What I’m saying is if we’re always looking with judgement at what everyone else is doing and why they aren’t “real Christians “ ( not that you used that phrase or anything ) but in general as Christian’s , if we do that we’re actually not walking in obedience ourselves

I’m not criticizing you I actually had agreed with your original observations of the church d am not at all contending with you or what your saying.

what I’m getting at is this here

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:31-38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s our path forward and how we apply jidgement towards others whether we’re like oaul was saying accepting of other believers even if they have some different ideas about things

the only real foundation is Jesus was born and lived and spoke the immutable word of God , died for our sins according to scripture , and rose from death the third day following and is now in heaven reigning in his kingdom and interceding for each believer who repents.

the rest is just that we all have different levels of understanding different grasp of what is built upon that required foundation.

we can let the rest of scripture build upon that foundation a house for us to live in by faith or we can reject the rest of scripture and try building our own ways on it like many do high sort of goes back to me agreeing with alot of what your Saying in the observations you’ve made

but what I’m saying is how we judge other people does affect our salvation that’s part of the gospel that’s meant to be built on that foundation “judge not lest ye be judged “

“forgive and be forgiven “ “ give and it shall be given to you “ whatever measure you use towards other is what measure you will receive later “ ect it all goes to salvation and judgement as we learn more of the truth we become more accountable for what we do

“And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:47-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬


We all have our own measure within our understanding if we’re doing something we know is wrong we know and can’t pretend we don’t , but if we’re doing something wrong or even thinking something wrong and we don’t know we’re wrong it’s completely different it doesn’t place guilt upon the person who doesn’t know and does wrong , the person who knows and does wrong though to him it is sin

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭

but those who didn’t know or even don’t know now that’s different in Gods sight one is ignorance he other is rebellion

I guess to clarify my point we have to be careful about where we aim judgement and where we aim mercy and grace and acceptance based on the foundation of Jesus blood , word and eternal resurrected life for all those who believe until the end of the earth

I’ve come to , over the years , a conclusion that God really does know every detail of each person he knows our outward actions we do in public and also the things we try to hide he’s still there watching

he knows our motives and thoughts and also he understand what we understand which is ultra important to him regarding salvation

but my point was We don’t know what others really know and sometimes if other won’t agree with us we see them as rejecting Christ be his ways but maybe , we just see clearer because we have learned more or walked longer maybe they really don’t have a great grasp on things

we can be told something but to really learn a lesson is also much more that just hearing something once or twice in our minds where no one else can measure we each have a certain measire of understanding we’ve learned over the years with Jesus

so we don’t want to insist someone else keep up with what we have learned or reject also what someone else might be able to teach us

if we first acknowledge that everyone who truly believes with thier heart in Jesus death and resurrection and confesses that he is Lord , the. From that point on thier salvation is only between Jesus and themself.

I’ve always taken that position when it comes to my own salvation only Jesus can save me or cast me out

but it took years for me to realize tha how it is for each believer it’s always between the believer in Jesus d Jesus in whom they believe so it makes sense we aren’t to judge and decide others salvstion or even our own Jesus has that covered

 

[Live4Him3]

What I’m saying is if we’re always looking with judgement at what everyone else is doing and why they aren’t “real Christians “ ( not that you used that phrase or anything ) but in general as Christian’s , if we do that we’re actually not walking in obedience ourselves.

Hey, Pilgrimshope.

So, I read your post twice.

Again, I don't disagree with the things that you've said. There's definitely a lot of truth there, but I must say that it's not the whole truth. In other words, there are also many admonitions in scripture about such things as false brethren, false teachers, false apostles, false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, etc., etc., and how we should deal with the same.

Anyhow, I can assure you before God himself that I'm not "always looking with judgment at what everyone else is doing and why they aren't "real Christians". Instead, I spend the bulk of my time working on MYSELF or, in line with this thread's title, involved in SELF-EXAMINATION.

Also, although I've been involved in quite a few confrontations here, I'm really not into the same. In fact, I've recently asked the moderators here if one can post a blog without giving people the option to respond or if a formal debate forum between two selected individuals was a possibility. The reason why I asked the same is to avoid so much of the confrontation that regularly exists here with the hope of actually getting some Christian doctrine out there for people to consider without all of the backlash.

My actual goal or desire, both here and elsewhere, could probably be best summed up in the following words of Paul:

Ephesians chapter 4

[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Simply put, I'd love to see everyone here "come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ", BUT there are many here who are truly "carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive", and that's a recipe for confrontations galore.

Anyhow, I'm not offended by anything that you've said. I'm simply looking to see if you've said anything that I'm failing to do, and I have to ultimately go with my own true motives which God himself is well aware of.

Have a blessed day.