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NASB | 2 Corinthians 13:5 ¶ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 13:5 ¶ Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit? |
Bible Question: should a preacher question peoples christianity |
Bible Answer: Hi, James and Faye... This is an incredibly important question. The work of the Holy Spirit in salvation is not visible to us (John 3:8); but the effect is visible (Matthew 7:16-20). The evidence of our salvation is manifest in a number of things. We are told by John that they include love of God, love of the brethren, and love of the Word. We know that the visible church contains both wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30). However, it is crucial for us each to exert every effort -- personally and corporately -- to insure that the visible church looks like the invisible church. This is how we fulfill the Great Commission. Therefore, if we are to make men look more like Christ, and increase in their obedience to Him, we must begin with the utterly essential question of our salvation. If we are not saved, then we have no place in the body of Christ, we are His enemies, and we stand in great jeopardy with every beat of our heart. Thus, welcome examination by your spouse, by your children, by your elders, etc. Your eternal destiny may depend upon it. When I teach, here on the forum, in my local congregation, or elsewhere, I emphasize three important questions: 1. What is the church? 2. What is the gospel? 3. What does a believer look like? So much could be said about this. I think the root of your question indicates that you do not have Biblical answers to these questions. In Him, Doc |