DCLM Higher Everyday 19 August 2023 — Regular Self-Examination
DCLM Higher Everyday 19 August 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Regular Self-Examination
Topic: Regular Self-Examination
Text: 2 Corinthians 13:5-9
6But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
Key Verse: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Message
M. Russell Ballard said, “All of us must come to an honest, open self-examination, an awareness within as to who and what we want to be.” Self-examination is the way to progress. In 1888, Ludwig Nobel, the brother of Alfred Nobel died. A French newspaper thought that it was Alfred Nobel, the scientist who invented dynamite who had died and published the obituary under the title: “The Merchant of Death is Dead.” When Alfred read the obituary, he was surprised that if he had died he would only have been remembered for getting rich by inventing dynamite that can kill more people faster than ever before. On self-examination, he came up with the idea of the Nobel Prizes to immortalize himself positively.
Indeed, self-examination is an essential exercise that every Christian should undertake on regular basis. This involves evaluation of our spiritual status, confirming whether or not we are still sincerely committed to our vow of allegiance to our Master, Jesus Christ, and taking every necessary remedial action. Ignoring this fundamental spiritual exercise might spell doom for the carefree Christian.
Quote: Self-examination is the way to progress
Challenge: Tell yourself the truth and be free forever.
Prayer for today: Guide me, Lord, on a regular self-examination for fruitfulness.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
