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EXAMINE YOURSELVES

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 19, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 15, No. 22.

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EXAMINE YOURSELVES

By A. J. Richmond

WHETHER ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 2 Cor. xiii, 5.
This language of the apostle is addressed to every individual who professes to be in Christ. Examine yourselves. Important words. How full of meaning in these days of apostasy and peril. How important that we know what manner of persons we are of, that we be not deceived, and be led to believe that our condition is better than it really is. Let us remember that we are living in the time when, if it were possible, the very elect shall be deceived; that we are called upon to be zealous and repent, and to overcome, that we may sit with Christ in his throne. Then surely we have something to repent of and to overcome. Says the true Witness, "I know thy works." Are you hasty, passionate, or impatient? Examine yourselves,prove your own selves. Here is the patience of the saints. If you have not the Spirit of Christ you are none of his. The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Blessed fruit, well worth an examination of ourselves. Who that has ever tasted it does not wish to bear much of it. If we ever bear this fruit we must crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts. Think not that the old man will be put to death without resistance. Every device of Satan will be tried upon us to keep us from overcoming.
But let us examine and prove our own selves. We have an unerring rule or standard to examine ourselves by, and to prove ourselves with. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, or, the law and the gospel.
How solemn the reflection that our lives are soon to be compared with these great and important truths, and a final and lasting decision rendered. How important that we know whether we are in the faith, and that we cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
A word to those who are expecting salvation through Christ, and yet are gratifying their appetite for tobacco. Have you examined yourselves by the light of the gospel? What think you of the apostle's words in Romans? "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof." Do you ever think of this scripture when you are paying out your money for tobacco. Are you not making provision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh? Have you done all that is required of you in sustaining the truth, and warning the world around you of the destruction that is coming upon them? Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey. And of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. Have you tried to leave it off, and finally concluded that it is right for you to use it? Jesus says, Him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me.
Do not be afraid to look at these things now while mercy lingers, knowing that all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Soon he that is holy will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still. Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.
The Lord help us to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith, and to prove ourselves that we may be ready for his coming, which is near, even at the doors. A. J. RICHMOND.