“Examine Yourselves!”

Apostle Paul had established the church at Corinth, but the religious leaders, with their criticism of him, and teachings that were different to his, caused much conflict and confusion within the membership.

After this conflict was somewhat resolved, Paul was now on a mission to affirm his authority as an apostle, cement the legitimacy of his ministry and inculcate a better understanding of Christianity in the church’s membership which, predominantly Gentile, was diverse in both opinion and culture. However, his intention to visit Corinth was put on hold. As he put it,

“Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards,” (verse 17)

Paul was not acting of his own accord. Paul wrote to them instead.

Confident in God’s ability to rescue the church, he set about re-introducing Christ to a church that had forgotten Who is most important.

Paul invites the church to a new identity in Christ, to envision themselves as reborn – a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) – and to a renewed understanding of God. Paul’s mission, to teach them how to live intentionally in Him.

Examining ourselves in the light of the Corinthians, we need to question…

Have we become like the congregation in Corinth? 

Are we a church rife in conflict and confusion? 

Are we a church that has forgotten Who matters? 

Corporately and individually, are we as members, making plans according to human standards without the benefit of Spirit’s guidance?

Isn’t it time for us to see ourselves afresh in Christ? Embracing a new Christ centred identity, living intentionally in Him, with a renewed understanding of His work and our purpose facilitated by His Holy Spirit? 

As Paul advises, each one of us must first,  

“Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?” – 2 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP)

 

Shelley Johnson “Examine Yourselves!” © February 5, 2025