Paul says "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." Paul is encouraging us here to examine our lives and make sure that what we believe is being shown through our actions. It is hard sometimes to have a "looking-glass self", in other words, to see ourselves how other people might see us. But really, guys, we know how we are doing spiritually. We know if we are dropping the ball with doing God's will and being faithful to the work of His kingdom. Paul says to examine ourselves. Examine does not mean glance over, but to dig deep and find the messy, smelly parts of our lives that are keeping us from being closer to God and "in the faith"
Be in the faith. Being in the faith, though a somewhat ambiguous phrase, among other things means to make sure that Christ is really shining through your behavior. Paul is encouraging them to ask "Am I truly saved?" and if I am, "What am I doing to make that obvious to others?" I think it means that if a stranger was put in a room with you for a half an hour, what you do and say would make it clear that you passionately love Jesus and are faithful to God. Be in the faith. By being in the faith, we have a responsibility of carrying the whole Christian truth with us everywhere we go. Think of yourselves as constant beacons for the love of God. Daniel 12:3 says "And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to rightesousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Even children in Sunday School learn outdated songs like 'Rise and Shine and give God the glory, glory." As Christians, that is our responsibility. Accepting God's gift of salvation is not a ticket to apathy for the rest of our lives, but it is an understanding that from here on out, we will be in the faith, passionate followers of God who act according to our beliefs.
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith." I want to be in the faith.
~ Ben
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