2 Corinthians 13:5
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
Are you genuinely sorry for your sins, or are you securely or intentionally
continuing on in your sinful ways? Do you trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness
and eternal salvation, or do you rely upon your own works or life to merit
God's acceptance of you and a place in His heavenly kingdom? Do you sincerely
desire, with God's help, to amend your life and live for Christ in accord with
His Word, or are you unwilling to give up some sin or evil practice in your
life? These are questions which may help you in examining yourself to see if
you are in the faith. If you are not sorry for all your sins, not trusting in
Christ Jesus for salvation, or not sincerely desiring and seeking to amend your
life, you ought consider the consequence of continuing on in sin and unbelief
and repent before it is too late. The Bible tells us: "Seek ye the LORD
while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto
the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will
abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). The Bible also says: "The
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord" (Romans
O Dearest Jesus, for the sake of Thy Holy life and innocent sufferings and death upon the cross, forgive me for all my sins and iniquities, cleanse my heart, and grant me the sincere desire to amend my sinful ways and live for Thee. Amen.