Examine Yourself

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Revelation 3:2

The body’s immune system is our God-given shield of protection. It is able to detect a wide variety of harmful bacteria and viruses and distinguish them from the body’s healthy tissue. Then the thymus, the spleen, and the lymph nodes guard the body against these foreign substances to keep us healthy.

Following the apostle Paul’s practice of comparing the body of Christ to the human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31), we can apply the same strategy to maintain spiritual health: the spiritual body is only as healthy as its weakest part. Or, the local church is only as healthy as its weakest member. The admonition Jesus Christ gave the church at Sardis applies: “Strengthen the things which remain” (Revelation 3:2). Physically and spiritually, we are on a lifelong quest to strengthen every cell of our body and every member of Christ’s body.

Make today a day of self-examination. Strengthen the body of Christ by strengthening your walk with Him.

The Christian is strong or weak depending upon how closely he has cultivated the knowledge of God.

A. W. TOZER