Self-examination

One of the biggest problems in the Church today, is hypocrisy. The amount of Christians claiming to be Christians but they live their life as heathen. There is no difference between the heathen and the Christian. (or the Christian who's a hypocrite.)

As Christians we should always be self examining ourselves. Are we Christians? Are we living for Christ? Before we Hussey's were Reformed, we were Modern Evangelicals; a.k.a. Arminians. One thing I learned when I was really little, in VBS (Vacation Bible School), was this simple little phrase: What would Jesus do? Now, it does sound rather corny. But, are our lives evidence of this question? Let me re-phrase that. Are we doing what Jesus would do? Are we living what He'd do? That's an easy question. But, I think you'll find the answer rather hard to swallow. I know that I don't always live like this. The majority of my life is it's not fair. Why do I have to do this? This is rediculous. This person mistreated me. Oh! I have to do this again? Petty little things like that. And here I am taking the blessings God's given to me, for granted. Blessings, such as the wonderful family I live in. My siblings. The hard working mother I have. The fact that we've never lost a baby. The roof over my head. The fact that it's not illegal to go to church, pull out a Bible in public, preach the Gospel. The fact that we live in a country with electricity. The fact that our country doesn't burn Christians on the stake. SO MANY, MANY, THINGS I TAKE FOR GRANTED. Even if it's the littlest thing. Even the little gifts that you have, God gave you. I think sometimes I forget that. Or I just don't think about it.

I find that I go about my life just living. But, am I really living? Really living is Romans 12:1-3 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly then he ought to think, but to think of sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

And Roman's 12:9-20 I'll let you read that on your own. Also read John 15:18-25 (Which talks about the world hating you just as it hated Jesus. If the world hates you, if you are being persecuted for you faith, you KNOW that you are living for Christ!)

Really living is living for Christ to the fullest! Give Him your all! If that means that you have to give up certain things that you like more than you ought to like then give it up and surrender your will to Him.

Take the self examining test. Ask yourself, do I read my Bible everyday? Or ask yourself do I read my Bible on my own other then when I'm in church, at Bible study or youth group, or whatever. Ask yourself this, are you reading your Bible on your own? Do you pray without ceasing? Do you go out and share the Gospel with a cheerful light heart? Do you bless those who persecute you? Are you constantly on a daily basis, resisting the desires of your flesh? Not only are you reading your Bible but are you obeying what God commands in it? "But be doers of the word, not hearers only, decieving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doers, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in the mirror. For he looks at himself then goes away and at once forget what he looks like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and preserves, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." James 1:22-25 italics and bold added.

There's a bizzilion questions you can ask yourself to self-check yourself. But, why not do it in ten simple questions?

1.Do you read your Bible, not out of duty but love for God.
2.Do you pray?
3.Are you bearing fruit? Go ask some witnesses. Maybe some family members, maybe friends, maybe even your pastor.
4.Do you love worldly things or do you ABHOR what is evil and CLING to what is good?
5.Do you long for home? Here on earth, this life is temporary. Do you yearn for heaven?
6. Do you love the fellowship of other Christians? A True Christian loves the company, and fellowship of other Christians. I mean sure you're going to have non-believing friends. But, you prefer to hang out with other Christians then you would with non-believers at the bar..or whatever.
7. Do you share the Gospel? Do you, "Make decsiples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt." (Matt. 28:19)
8.When no one's around--do you act like the good little Christian you are when you're at church? "No one's watching--let's be worldly." I hope that's not your motto.
9.We all have those certain sins that as an individial person, we struggle with. Like one of mine is pride. But, daily are we wrestling with ourselves? I mean, are we praying to our heavenly Father for help, when the time arises that you want to look with lust at someone are you immediately praying and humming a hymn instead? Resisting that temptation?
10. Do you forgive and forget? A true Christian forgives his brother 77 times 7. And are you forgetting about that particular sin that your brother commited against you? Remember love keeps no record of wrongs. And do you seek forgivness? If you have committed a sin against your brother then you need to go to him, conffess, and ask for his forgivness. You need to go to God as well. Infact it's best to get into the habbit of asking God first, then your brother. (I'm preaching to myself when I say all these things. I preach to myself first for I know the things that I need to work on. I know the times when I'm a hypocrite. God knows too. And I know my family does as well.) Then you repent of this sin. Turn around and put your eyes on Christ, walking, walking, ever walking towards Him until He calls you home then finally, finally you know you've reached the end of the long tedious road.

Much love in Christ, Pray for me,

Lissie

Ps. If you happen to have any prayer requests just post a comment or email me @ spam_mepwease@yahoo.com I no longer have "Pretty_littleteacup" email. So if you've been emailing, or have emailed me in the past, I'm terribly sorry I haven't told you this sooner but I don't have the pretty_little teacup email.