TESTING OURSELVES (2 CORINTHIANS 12:14-13:14)

REFLECTION Testing ourselves is the theme for our reflections. To test ourselves means to assess or examine ourselves to see whether or not we are living according to a required standard. We are going to focus on the fact that we must test ourselves as believers or disciples of Christ to ensure that we are…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Sep 2, 2023

2–3 minutes

REFLECTION

Testing ourselves is the theme for our reflections. To test ourselves means to assess or examine ourselves to see whether or not we are living according to a required standard. We are going to focus on the fact that we must test ourselves as believers or disciples of Christ to ensure that we are living according to the perfect image or example of Christ.

Dear friend, the fundamental purpose of testing ourselves is to ensure that we are constantly in relationship with Jesus and are living according to His perfect examples. This is was one of Paul’s major concerns about the Christians in Corinth, hence, he admonished them to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you —unless, of course, you fail the test? ⁶ And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6). In other words, Christ is at the centre of our faith, For this reason, Jesus assures us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes(or have faith) in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16). Again, we are required to examine or test ourselves to determine whether or not we are in constant relationship with Jesus because He is “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2). If we test ourselves and we realise that our relationship with Christ is broken because of sin or disobedience then it means God is not pleased with us, for God said in Matthew 3:17 that ““This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Let us cultivate the habit of testing ourselves every day through Bible study and prayer, and most importantly, following the perfect example of Christ in our dealings with our fellow human beings. “By this, all people will know that you are my disciples….” (John 13:35).

In summary, we have meditated on theme, “Testing ourselves” We have discovered that we must often test or examine ourselves as believers or disciples of Christ to ensure that we are living according to the perfect example of Christ who is the founder and perfecter of our faith and salvation. Shalom.

PRAYER

1. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to help us cultivate the habit of examining ourselves daily through Bible study and prayer.
2. Let us pray for spiritual and moral restoration or renewal anything we test ourselves.
3. Let us pray that at all times we shall reflect the perfect image of Christ in our lives.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us the opportunity to test ourselves in readiness for our second coming. Amen.