This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
The verse calls every believer to examine himself whether he is in the faith and to prove his own self. That proving is an inward inquiry into the character of thoughts, tempers, purposes, words, and deeds. It is done by comparing the daily course of action with the great mirror, the law of God, to see wherein life in words, thoughts, and deeds does not harmonize with God's moral standard of right.
It presses the question whether one is satisfied that he is an example of gospel holiness. It presses further whether the visible points of righteousness indicate before brethren and the world that the truth and the Spirit of Christ abide within, making him a bright and shining light. The examination must therefore be more careful, thorough, and impartial, joined with sincere prayer of soul for the Lord to discover defects, so that one is not deceived by the deceitfulness of sin.
When a defect is seen, work must be done to remedy it by seeking the grace of God to destroy whatever is wrong and to supply whatever is lacking. That work represses many things, while it especially strengthens and waters what is pure and lovely and of good report. Without such searching self-examination in the light reflected from the cross of Christ as revealed in His Word, self-love prompts a much better opinion of self than is just or true or safe.
The verse calls every believer to examine himself whether he is in the faith and to prove his own self. That proving is an inward inquiry into the character of thoughts, tempers, purposes, words, and deeds. It is done by comparing the daily course of action with the great mirror, the law of God, to see wherein life in words, thoughts, and deeds does not harmonize with God's moral standard of right.
It presses the question whether one is satisfied that he is an example of gospel holiness. It presses further whether the visible points of righteousness indicate before brethren and the world that the truth and the Spirit of Christ abide within, making him a bright and shining light. The examination must therefore be more careful, thorough, and impartial, joined with sincere prayer of soul for the Lord to discover defects, so that one is not deceived by the deceitfulness of sin.
When a defect is seen, work must be done to remedy it by seeking the grace of God to destroy whatever is wrong and to supply whatever is lacking. That work represses many things, while it especially strengthens and waters what is pure and lovely and of good report. Without such searching self-examination in the light reflected from the cross of Christ as revealed in His Word, self-love prompts a much better opinion of self than is just or true or safe.