“FOR IF WE WOULD JUDGE ourselves, we would not be judged.” I Corinthians 11:31 Paul tells the Corinthian church that many of them are sick and in fact have died because they were negligent of their spiritual walk, especially as it pertains to the Lord’s supper and communion with the brethren.
This word judge in Scripture signifies all parts of judgment: examining, accusing, condemning- not another but ourselves. Here it signifies accusing ourselves, condemning ourselves; discriminating against ourselves. Examine, try, and prove ourselves as above directed, before we eat and drink the holy sacraments of the Lord; condemn ourselves, by confessing, acknowledging, and mourning over sin, and by repentance for it; including a separating ourselves from the company of profane sinners. If we would do these things, we would not fall under the judgment of God.
Yet, I do not see most Christians doing this. I see most patting themselves on their spiritual backs and proclaiming, “God loves me”. There’s no examination. There’s no turning from unrighteousness. There’s no fear of God, but a continuation of sin. We deceive ourselves and whisper to our minds, “I’m saved” because you spoke a few words years ago and you continue to commune with the brethren. The false gospel of easy believism and fake love has you convinced you’re going to heaven no matter what your life looks like.
The Bible proclaims, “Whoever abides in Him does not continue a life of sin. Whoever continues in sin has neither seen Him nor known Him.” I John 3:6 and “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” Hebrews 10:26. Yet, we lie to ourselves and believe the lie of the enemy, “Did God really say?” Yes He did. You cannot continue in a life of sin and inherit eternal life because you said a prayer years ago. Judge yourself and stop lying to your wicked heart.
Examine yourself. Put yourself under the sharp scalpel of the Word. Cut away the flesh from the bone. Repent and mourn in sack cloth and ashes. The blood is available to all who repent; but there’s no reconciliation without the blood of Christ appropriated through repentance. Turning away from sin and living a life of holiness unto the Lord is a sign of salvation- not an unchanged confession. “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” I John 2:4 Judge yourself, receive forgiveness and the refreshing of the Holy Spirit, and humbly submit to the Lord Almighty and you will live that abundant life. #runyourrace
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