S. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (NIV) 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
O. Paul is encouraging the church of Corinth to look into their own lives and to be sure they are in the faith (beause at times their behavior was questionable and Paul needed to be firm with them). Paul also added that he and his leadershp also take time to test themselves, that is to look into their own hears and minds for self examination.
Thought: Paul is leading by example. He is not asking the people at Corinth to do anything that he and his leadership team are not doing or have done. Because of this, he is able then to (with autheniticity) ask they take a look at their own spiritual lives.
A. I deisre to live my life with such autheniticy for Christ Jesus. I am not above anything I might ask others to do. When I ask others to look into their own hearts, I must be able to have done that I or am doing that. Tough times calls for authentic leadership.
P. Thank you Father for your word - Thank you for Paul’s exemplary authentic leadership. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be a leader of such demonstrated authentic faith.
