We take a thorough look at 2 Corinthians 13:5 and note the imperative to apply to our lives as well as how to do it — especially now!
I am surprised at the number of people that are apathetic about their lot in life. They don’t want to become better – No growth, no change! They don’t want to look at their life and evaluate it. As a Christian we cannot afford to do that — We must look at ourselves! I am reticent to give a message like this at this time of the year because we need to be doing it all the time.
This message will be based on this scripture:
2 Corinthians 13:5 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.
Examine and Test Yourselves
Present tense, what they are to be doing now; to be done on an ongoing basis
Peirazō
3985 peirazō pi-rad’-zo
- in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily
- to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin
- to solicit to sin, to tempt; the temptations of the devil
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
Overwhelming usage is negative, but it does have a positive aspect to it which is the one that we are to apply in this case when it says, “Examine yourselves.”
3985 peirazō pi-rad’-zo
- to try whether a thing can be done to attempt, endeavor
- to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself in a good sense
John 6:5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
John 6:6 But this He said to testG3985 him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested G3985, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Dokimazō
G1381
Δοκιμάζω dokimazō dok-im-ad’-zo
Thayer Definition:
- to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
- to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
Connotation to look to or at the positive side
Can be seen in the assaying process
Fire assay techniques are the most accurate way of determining gold content in mineral samples
Find it among dirt, wash it, crush it, refine it in a fire (removing the impurities) looking towards the most valuable gold while at the same time get rid of the dirt and impurities
Luke 14:19 “And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test G1381 them.
Proving the worth by using it. A way of life that works.
Paul reiterates the necessity to dokimazo ourselves in a few places:
Galatians 6:1 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 G3985.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Galatians 6:4 But let each one examine G1381 his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Galatians 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Ephesians 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
Ephesians 5:10 finding out G1381 what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
Philippians 1:10 that you may approve G1381 the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
When we look at the words dokimazō and peirazō we can sum it up:
Satan tempts to see us fail
God tests to see us succeed
Example: Crossing the street. Satan wants us to get hit by a vehicle. God wants to see if we will follow the guidelines He gives us.
God Provides Opportunities for Growth through Testing
It is God working in us to accomplish growth
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [ths is the only true one that can be built upon]
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
1 Corinthians 3:13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test G1381 each one’s work, of what sort it is. [the work that goes along with our faith]
1 Corinthians 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures [if it is perfect, holy, righteous and Godly], he will receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. [because he went through this process of assay by fire]
If we don’t examine ourselves God will
Isaiah 1:25 … thoroughly purge away your dross, …
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine G1381 himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
In that context notice:
1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:18 Now “IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?”
1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
What is our response?
How are we to do this?
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
2 Peter 1:6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
2 Peter 1:7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
This is the way that we are to approach our lives in general and specifically before this upcoming Passover season.
Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith
… whether you are in the faith.
How precious is it to us? How badly do we want it…to make sure that we have it?
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
WE are to contend earnestly because Jesus Christ left us with this question in :
Luke 18:8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Not just the belief there is a God but belief in what God says we are to do and that we should live by EVERY word of God
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard [what is it that we have heard? lest we drift away. [lest when Jesus Christ come He not find faith in us; Not find us “so doing”; doing the things that we have heard and that has been commanded]
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, [what is the recompense of the evil-doer?]
Hebrews 2:3 how [then] shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
[We cannot “neglect” or be careless with what we have given, but rather we MUST “give the more earnest heed” to our calling and examine “whether we are in the faith” that is whether we are remaining faithful]
Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “TODAY,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. [that which we are to be purging out]
[Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.]
Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Everyday, not just at this time of the year we need to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith
Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 13:5
Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you
At the time of our baptism and laying on of hands we receive Christ in us; an earnest of His power in us;
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith [we have to be in the faith] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
This is why we are to examine whether we are in the faith
John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
John 14:20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
We become as it were, a temple for the holy spirit
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.”
2 Corinthians 6:18 “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
If then Jesus Christ is in us, how should we be acting?
Why we do this before Passover in particular
John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
John 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
John 6:56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
John 6:57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
John 6:58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
1Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Finishing off 2 Corinthians 13:5 …Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified.
unless indeed you are disqualified.
Did we pass or fail the test? How did the examination go?
G96
ἀδόκιμος adokimos ad-ok’-ee-mos
From G1 (as a negative participle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): – castaway, rejected, reprobate.
Let’s look at some other places that this word is used and notice in context how we can become disqualified
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased G96 mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved G96 concerning the faith;
2 Timothy 3:9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
2 Timothy 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
2 Timothy 3:11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified G96 for every good work.
Hebrews 6:7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs [fruit] useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
Hebrews 6:8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected G96 and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
1 Corinthians 9:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified G96.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The question that we need to be asking ourselves is:
Did we make the transformation?
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Crown
We all want to be Philadelphians. But it takes more than just wanting
Philadelphia
Revelation 3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Revelation 3:9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have [what is this? Faith and Works], that no one may take your crown.
Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
Revelation 3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘
2 Corinthians 13:5 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.
2 Corinthians 13:6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified G96.
2 Corinthians 13:7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified G96.
God will never leave us or forsake us, if we do our part.