EXAMINE YOURSELF

CHARLES H. PERKINS

EXAMINE YOURSELF

(2 Corinthians 13:5)  Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
2 Corinthians 13:5 you are told to examine yourself to see where you are in your faith.  In other words, where are you in your relationship with God? Do you truly love Him or are you just looking for a blessing? Do you get mad at God because something did not go your way? Is your faith deeper; is your love stronger? How is your prayer life? Do you study His Word to know Him better and to get closer to Him? Is your relationship with Him the top priority in your life? Examine yourself and see where your faith is. No matter where it is, do all you can to make it better.
As we go into this new year of 2020, if you are married, apply that same principle to your marriage.  Examine yourself and see where you are in your marriage.  Do you love your spouse more? Are you less critical and condescending?  How much of yourself do you give into the marriage to make it as good as possible. And I mean giving of yourself, not your money, doing duties around the house or the usual stuff you do every day in the hustle and bustle of life. You can do all of that stuff perfectly and still hate each other. I mean how much of you, your love, your compassion, your encouragement, your desire, forgiveness, patience do you give. Do you bring joy and peace into the relationship or are you like a vacuum cleaner and suck all of the joy and peace out of the relationship? After your relationship with God, is your relationship with your spouse your top priority? Examine yourself and see where you are in your relationship with your spouse.  You marriage is worth it. No matter where it is, do all you can to make it better.
Just as your love for The Lord should always grow, your love for your spouse should always grow.  Anything that doesn’t grow eventually stagnates and dies.  Again, examine yourself.