Audio Sermons

Guatemala Mission Report

Giving on Purpose

by Aaron Alsbrook

         The Lord who Judges Me

Paul says, "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). This scripture requires followers of Jesus to examine their thinking. In the context Christian living, the Christian is tasked with "destroying arguments and opinions" of our own. It requires the conscious effort of "taking every thought captive." The standard that the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul places in front of Christians is to bring our thinking under submission to the Word of God, Jesus (John 1:1).

Paul goes on to say, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5). Just as a Christian's thoughts are "taken captive," we are also to "examine ourselves." This is to "help the Christian to understand if we are genuine in doing the will of God. Personal accountability is the cornerstone of the Christian life. The Christian cannot and should not rely upon someone else being obedient for them.

Paul says in his first letter to the same congregation, "For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Corinthians 4:4). While Christians should discipline their thinking and examine themselves against the word of God, Paul also helps us to understand the limitations of our self-assessments. A clear conscience that results from self-examination is not the final verdict.

It is vital for the Christian to study the Word of God

(2 Timothy 2:15). It is vital for a Christian to understand that God's Word can be known (1 John 5:13). It is vital for a Christian to live in such a way that submits their thinking to the will of the Father (John 17). It is also vital for a Christian to live in such a way that honors the love of Jesus on the cross of Calvary (John 12:48, 1 Corinthians 4:4). -asa