Imagine, if you will, a vast library filled with books, each one a testament to the life of a person. Some of these volumes are thick and richly detailed, while others are thin, their stories barely begun. Now, picture a man wandering through this library. He comes across a book with his name on it. Would he dare to open it? And if he did, would he be prepared for what he might find?
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, issues a challenge that is as relevant today as it was nearly two millennia ago. “Examine yourselves,” he admonishes, urging these early Christians to look within, to open the book of their lives, and to assess whether they are truly living in accordance with the faith they profess.
The Context of the Corinthian Church
Let’s step back for a moment and consider the situation Paul was addressing. The church in Corinth was in turmoil. There were factions, disputes, and even challenges to Paul’s authority as an apostle. Some so-called "super-apostles" had wormed their way into the congregation, casting doubt on Paul’s credentials and sowing seeds of discord.
Paul, knowing that his return to Corinth might provoke further conflict, does something rather unexpected. Instead of defending his own apostolic authority, he turns the tables and challenges the Corinthians to examine themselves. “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
The Importance of Self-Examination
Now, let’s pause here. Why would Paul urge these believers to examine themselves? The answer lies in a truth that’s as old as humanity itself: we are often blind to our own flaws. We are quick to point out the speck in our neighbor’s eye, all the while ignoring the log in our own.
Jesus illustrated this in a parable about two men who went to pray. One, a Pharisee, stood proudly, thanking God that he was not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like the tax collector who stood nearby. The tax collector, however, stood at a distance, not even daring to look up to heaven. He beat his chest and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:9-14).
Which of these men, do you think, truly understood the need for self-examination? It’s easy to see the faults in others, but it takes courage to look within and see the truth about ourselves.
Honesty and Integrity in Self-Reflection
When we talk about examining ourselves, we’re not just talking about a casual glance in the mirror. We’re talking about an honest, searching look at who we are and how we live. It’s not enough to say, “I’m doing fine” if deep down, we know that’s not true.
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus speaks of the seed that falls on good soil, representing a heart that is honest and good (Luke 8:15). An honest heart is one that’s willing to face the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Imagine you’re in a boat, and you notice a small leak. You could pretend it’s not there, but we all know how that story ends. The boat sinks. Or, you could be honest about the problem, make the necessary repairs, and keep your vessel afloat. Our lives are much the same. If we ignore the small leaks—those flaws and sins that we’d rather not acknowledge—they can eventually lead to our spiritual downfall.
The Objective Standard: Scripture as Our Guide
But how do we know what needs fixing? What is the standard by which we should examine our lives? Paul gives us a clear answer: we must measure ourselves against the Word of God.
Now, this might sound daunting, but think of it like a map. If you’re lost in the wilderness, a map is not there to condemn you for being off course; it’s there to guide you back to the right path. The Scriptures serve as our spiritual map, showing us where we are and where we need to go.
Paul writes to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This isn’t about rigid rules or impossible standards. It’s about aligning our lives with the truth, so that we can live in a way that pleases God.
The Purpose of Self-Examination: Transformation
Self-examination, however, is not an end in itself. It’s a means to a greater end: transformation. Paul urges us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). This transformation doesn’t happen by magic. It happens through the daily, sometimes difficult, work of applying God’s Word to our lives.
Think of it like training for a race. No athlete becomes a champion overnight. It takes discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to push through the pain. In the same way, our spiritual growth requires a daily commitment to examine ourselves, repent where necessary, and keep moving forward in faith.
Repentance: The Turning Point
Repentance is a word we don’t hear much these days, but it’s at the heart of the Christian life. It’s not just about feeling sorry for our sins. It’s about turning away from them and turning toward God. It’s like realizing you’ve been driving in the wrong direction and deciding to make a U-turn.
The great preacher J.W. McGarvey once said that the hardest thing about conversion is getting people to repent. We all want the benefits of Christianity—peace, forgiveness, eternal life—but we’re not always willing to make the changes that true repentance requires.
But here’s the good news: when we do repent, when we do turn back to God, we find that He is always ready to receive us with open arms.
A Final Warning: The Danger of False Security
Paul’s words to the Corinthians also contain a warning: don’t deceive yourselves. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that just because we go to church or read the Bible, we’re automatically in good standing with God. But true faith is more than just outward appearances. It’s about a deep, personal relationship with Christ, one that’s reflected in the way we live.
So, as we close, let’s return to that image of the man in the library. He stands there, holding the book of his life in his hands. Will he open it? Will he read it honestly? And if he finds something amiss, will he have the courage to change?
The challenge Paul gave to the Corinthians is the same challenge we face today: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). It’s not always easy, but it’s the path to true transformation and eternal life.
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