Examine Yourself

by Hugh DeLong

As we close our reading of the letters to the Corinthian church, we see yet again their questioning of Paul’s apostleship and authority (cp. II Corinthians 13.3). Now in II Corinthians 13:5, Paul turns this around and challenges them: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”(II Corinthians 13:5).

This principle was stated by Jesus:

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).

Such testing requires a standard to test by! A standard outside our own opinions and estimations. That standard is ‘the faith’ – the revealed teachings of the New Covenant. This is not asking how I feel about my spirituality; it is asking me to look into the mirror of Scripture and see whether my life matches up.

The goal of our life is the transformation of my character to be like Jesus. This concept of transformation and the change of our character is repeated:

• Romans 12:1-2 – be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self.
• Philippians 2:5 – Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.

This is more than a checklist (although it includes specifics of conduct); it is my whole attitude toward Jesus and His example and teaching (including what He revealed through the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:3-5).

While this does not exclude examining others, it demands that we first examine ourselves. Are you doing this? Are you doing this daily? Are you becoming more and more like our Master?