2 Corinthians 13

Bible Passage:  2 Corinthians 13

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…

–          2 Corinthians 13: 5

We’ve always been told to examine ourselves, like to examine how is the status of our faith, and to examine our conduct based on the instructions of God as set out in the Holy Scriptures. In Corinthians 11, verse 28, it is written that we must examine ourselves in partaking of the Holy Communion, for we cannot do so in an unworthy manner.

However, I’m sure we’ve heard people who seemingly don’t find the need to do so, even if they’re believers of Christ. They might feel that God’s love and grace will cancel all the bad things they do without repentance or actions. Or they might feel that they have no sin in them and that they’re virtually perfect, 100% guaranteed worthy of God’s salvation grace (apparently they’re not related to Adam…).

So, in a way, they probably don’t think they need to examine, even though, whether they’re aware or not, they continue to make the same errors again and again, and yet don’t see the necessity to repent or even realise that no one are not perfect.

In the first few verses, Paul made this stern warning (threat if you want to make it harsher) to the obstinate sinners in the church, those who refuse to heed the warnings and admonishments of Paul, let alone the teachings in the Holy Scriptures. In verse 2, he even said that he will not spare them from a telling off.

This is true even us who are in the true church and believe that we must repent of our sins and know that we are always falling short of the glory of God. Our hearts must not be hardened to this. We have to be careful that we do not forget to examine ourselves constantly, meditating upon the teachings of God day and night (Psalms 1: 1). And if we should find ourselves lacking in any way, we must quickly turn back to the Lord, and ask that He will guide us.

Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord…

–          Lamentations 3: 40

Paul wrote his epistles to the various churches (Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth, etc.) because he wanted to help guide the believers of those churches in their faith, mainly because the churches might have had specific problems that Paul strongly felt the need to address as soon as possible. And though his words might seem very direct, he cared a lot for them. And in the middle portion of today’s chapter, we can see that Paul himself wanted to use the gentler approach through writing, as compared to the sharp approach of being there.

God has given us the Bible, the Holy Scriptures for us. Through it, we are taught about His commandments and teachings with regards to how we should conduct ourselves as His children and how we should worship Him.

Although we know that God is, of course, no nonsense when it comes to the aforementioned things, and if we don’t follow what He says, then we’re going to be in a heap of trouble when He comes again. But at the same time, our heavenly Father is gentle, kind, patient and understanding. If we had done some wrong, He is more than willing to take us back and hear our repentant prayers, if our heart is sincere. Through His words in the Bible, He is also using this gentle approach to teach us through the Holy Scriptures. But of course, it is up to us whether we are going to obey and keep His commandments or not.

The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty…

–          Numbers 14: 18

We all should know that the Lord will be coming again very soon, as seen in the book of Revelations, and because we know this is true. We have already been warned that we must hasten to prepare ourselves, for we do not know when that day will come.

But we know that if we obey and keep His commandments and serve Him fervently, not being like the obstinate sinners whom Paul warned against in chapter 13, always humbling ourselves before the Lord and being ready to repent and correct ourselves with His help, then we will be ok…

May God continue to bless and keep us all, and that He will keep us on the right path…

Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you…

–          2 Corinthians 13: 11