Heb
4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things
are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
If we were to carefully examine ourselves we might be surprised by
what we would find. (Especially if we were left with nothing but self-interest
to examine ourselves by.)
There are so many things I cannot know about myself. I can’t see
the back of my head, and I never would without the aid of a mirror. Can it be
possible my soul has blind spots as well?
That would be a, “Yes!” Again, imagine if the only perspective of
self-examination was self-interest. Where would that leave us? There are so
many things we cannot see about ourselves, (blind spots,) and the things we can
see that we don’t like can be covered up. (Camouflaged.)
The problem with the effectiveness of camouflage, (and it does
work,) is that in deceiving others about our weaknesses we also deceive
ourselves. Take our eternal condition for example. It is VERY easy to look the part of a Christian. Go to
church. Smile. Carry a Bible. Call yourself one. Done.
The worst part is by doing those things I may even convince myself
I am a Christian. Millions upon millions of people are in that exact position.
Look the part. Be the part. I am the
part.
The Word of God teaches otherwise. In 2 Corinthians 13, Paul writes in verse 5: Examine
yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know
yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.
But here’s the deal – what am I to
use to examine myself by? (Knowing my blind spots, self-interest and extensive knowledge
of camo.)
Answer: The Word of God is the
ONLY impartial tool of examination known to man. Note: ALL other religious treatises deal with the actions of the
flesh. ONLY God’s Word deals with the attitudes of the heart. You know…the part way down inside that cannot be seen by
anyone…the part we may even hide from ourselves for as long as we choose…
When Jesus taught me to love my
enemies, I knew I was guilty as sin. Here I was thinking I was a pretty good
person, and along comes The Word slicing me open and showing me my heart in a
way I had never seen before – or even desired to. The blessing is with the
revelation of Truth comes the application of forgiveness and salvation. Unless
you would rather not look. The choice
is yours.
- Pastor Bill
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