There are certain dangers that should be avoided when a Christian engages in introspection. The first one concerns our past sins. If we are truly born again with the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that we are children of God whose sins have been forgiven (Rom. 8:16), we must discipline ourselves not to think about these sins again and not to mention them in conversations. The enemy of our souls will always try to remind us of these sins in order to establish a renewed guilt consciousness in our mind. If we yield to his influence he will eventually instil thoughts in our heart which will question our salvation. Forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead (Phil. 3:13). The Lord said about His wayward people who return to Him wit repentant hearts: “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jer. 31:34). He also says the same to us.The second danger against which Christians should guard is to compare themselves with other Christians, and then regarding themselves as failures because they cannot do what others are doing. Our only example is the Lord Jesus, and we should follow His footsteps (1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6). He guides us through His Holy Spirit and uses each one of us in a different manner. Not all of us are preachers, singers, writers, or good business people who can support the work of the Lord financially. But all of us can be good intercessors, witnesses for Christ, and committed believers who persevere on the way of the Lord without deviating from it. From those believers who may have received more talents, more will be required (Luke 12:48).It is precisely with regard to Christian service that we should search ourselves. All Christians are saved by grace without works, but that is only the beginning of our new life in Christ. Subsequently, we are all commissioned to be witnesses for Christ in a dark world. This big task cannot be fulfilled in our own strength, and that is the reason why the Lord Jesus commanded all of us to be filled with the Holy Spirit: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8). Can you testify about this enduement with power from on high? (Luke 24:46-49).
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 19:37:29 +0000
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