Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves (Romans 14:22). Be aware of your values and what you know to be right and wrong. Be self-aware. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? (2 Corinthians 13:5a). Ask God to help you examine yourself. God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). Self-aware is not the same as self-righteous, if you seek yourself to put off sin and take on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye” (Luke 6:42).
The scripture tells us to be self-aware before we seek to help a brother or sister. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Know yourself so that the same temptation that overtook your sibling in Christ will not also overtake you. In dealing with an adversary also know yourself. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you (Titus 2:6-8). And when we approach God we need to know ourself. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Being self-aware helps you take responsibility for your own actions. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load (Galatians 6:3-5). Taking responsibility helps you not pass blame on another. Instead of passing blame, you take the sin to God and ask for forgiveness. “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (Romans 4:7-8). Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39).
Examine yourself to know what you believe. Where is your faith? Is your faith in the One that can justify you. Who rules over you? Are you guided by the sins of others? Then forgive. Are you ruled by your past sins? Then repent and ask the Spirit to guide you as you examine yourself. Do you fix your eyes on a the man in the pulpit and not on Jesus? Change your focus. Can a man wash your sins away? Know the one you serve! Does your life point to Jesus Christ or to a denomination? Do you dwell in the whole body of Christ or claim that what you are is all of the body? Know who you are and know that you are forgiven.
(c) 2007 Tim D. Coulter Sr.