Examine Ourselves

In this message, the speaker emphasizes the importance of examining ourselves and repenting to live a life in accordance with God's will. They discuss the significance of the Passover and the need to remove sin from our lives. The speaker also addresses the current state of the world and the consequences of not following God's ways. They emphasize the need for forgiveness and the power of God's spirit to help us change. The message encourages listeners to trust in God's plan and make the necessary changes in their lives. Hello everyone, wherever in the world you happen to be. Happy Sabbath to all. And this is a particular time of year when our attention is focused on the first of the seasons for God's holy days. In particular, we're starting with the Passover. And as we know, all of the holy days present a way of life that God is calling us to. And those who have responded, we're here today, and those who are in the process of responding, and there are also a lot of, most of humanity is in the case of not responding at all. And even when they hear the truth, it's maligned and spoken against because of the lies that have been promulgated amongst our people over the centuries and thousands of years. And as we know, Satan has deliberately done this to blind people and God has allowed it as part of his plan. Today, what I want to do is give an overview of the way of life, of Passover, of change, of repentance, of what God has called us to. And the first aspect of that is Christ our Passover. And part of that with the Days of Unleavened Bread is our examining ourselves and getting some out of our life. If you turn to 1 Corinthians 11 verse 26, this is where Christ was instituting the Passover and he gave the symbols and the apostle Paul was reminding everybody exactly what it was all about. So 1 Corinthians 11 and 26, for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you solemnly proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. For this reason, if anyone shall eat this bread or shall drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, he shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. It's pretty serious. We need to take the heart of what Paul is admonishing us here, what God is admonishing us through Paul, through the scriptures. In verse 28, this is the focus of the message today, but let a man examine himself. What does that word examine mean? In the dictionary, it means to inquire into the nature, the condition of, to set a test, an examination. In times past, when people were examined in the towers, they were put to torture to try and extract from them information. It's not a pleasant process. And as we know, the nature that we have, the carnal nature, is not subject to the law of God. And it can be painful at times to look into the law of God and then to be examining ourselves and seeing where we come short. But this is crucial to our salvation. It's crucial to the way that we live our lives, the way that we think. Continuing in verse 28, but let a man examine himself and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup accordingly, because the one who eats and drinks unworthily is eating and drinking judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the law. As a consequence of that, in verse 30, for this very reason, many are weak and sickly among you, and many have fallen asleep, which means have died. So there are consequences now in this life and also for our future salvation. And we know that we are admonished to make our calling and election sure. And that's one reason why God gave us the annual Holy Days, to remind us of his plan and our part in it, and that he will bring it about, that we have to do our part too. We know the tools that God's given us. He's given us the Word of God to study, recorded through history, written by, I think, over 40 different authors over a long period of time. We also have prayer where we have access to God. We have meditation, which is thinking deeply about the Word of God. And fasting is a tool as well, where we can use when we examine ourselves. And we know, as the scripture says, that we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, for good works. Things that we do, things that we don't do. As the prophet warns, let him who thinks he can take heed, lest he fall. And every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord tests the spirits. So we need to examine ourselves to make sure that we are walking as Christ walked. And that we know the will of the Father, and are doing that. And in so doing, we actually make ourselves worthy to partake of parceling. There are so many questions. There's about five basic ones, which I want you to keep in mind as we go through today's message. Where? What? When? Why? And how? As we use the tools of studying the Word of God, praying about things, thinking deeply, and fasting, and asking God to open our eyes and minds to see where we have fallen short, where we have missed the mark. We could ask ourselves these five basic questions. And as David said, if you turn to Psalm 51 and verse 6, Psalm 51 and verse 6, it's when David was a man after God's own heart, and yet he sinned, and he sinned grievously. And there are consequences for that, but God did forgive him. And this particular one is where he had sinned with Bathsheba, and also killed Uriah, her husband. And yet here he repented of his sins. In Psalm 51 verse 6, Behold, you desire truth, so speaking of God, you desire truth on the inward parts, that's in our minds, in our hearts, what we are, and what we think, and how we act and behave. So often we deceive ourselves with our own self-talk, our own lies, our own desires, that we want what we want. And that's when the opportunity presents itself, if we're not careful, we can slip. Continuing in verse 6, And in the hidden part, you shall make me to my wisdom. It's in our minds, and in our hearts. And as we know, the heart also has some neural cells for memory, and our emotions are seated there. And yet we have the two, the emotions and the mind, and they work together. And God wants us to have truth in those parts, in our minds and in our hearts. Continuing in verse 6, You shall make me to my wisdom. Verse 7, Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. And we're washed with the washing of the water of the word, and through Christ, and with forgiveness and the grace that we're given, which is a gift, we can't earn it. We are expected to behave in a certain way, and God has told us as well, and made it mine. Lawlessness. How long would we all survive on the roads, if we didn't obey the road code? How many people get road rage, when others misbehave, or don't obey the roads, or make a mistake? We get angry. Life is governed by laws, all around us. And to take a step back and look at our national situation, historically and currently, we go to Isaiah 57, and Isaiah 57 and verse 10. Here God is talking to Israel, thousands of years ago, and He's identifying a problem that He has, and we have the same problem today, and our nation's people are the same, same nature. Verse 10, you are wearied with the greatness of your way. Everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. The way of a man is clean in his own eyes. But does that make it right? We need to compare it with the Word of God. Which tree are we taking from, knowledge of good and evil, or the tree of life? Do we want to decide for ourselves, what's right and what's wrong? As a nation, and as we see around us, everybody's doing exactly that. Continuing in verse 10, did you not say, there is no God, there is no God, there is no God, continuing in verse 10, did you not say, there is no hope. You have found strength, therefore you were not weak. But of whom have you been afraid or feared, that you have lied, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart. How often do people, for the sake of their circumstances, well they lie, to keep doing what they're doing, even though they know it's wrong. But the consequences of facing up to it, are too painful, or too difficult. Do we let ourselves get into that situation? Oftentimes we find ourselves faced with decisions. We've got to choose, as God said to Israel. Choose this day, whether you will live or die. Are we going to believe God, and do what he says? And walk in faith, knowing that the outcome is in his hand. That he is gracious to us, and to others who repent. Are we willing to trust in that? Our nations are, unfortunately at this time, and they're blinded to it. But you have lied, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart. Have I not been silent, even of old, and yet you did not fear me? I will declare your kind of righteousness, and your works, for they shall not do you any good. What's the result of 6,000 years of humanity? We're living it. God's given us this, so that we will learn. He's called some of us, you and me, as the pest fruits. And it's a harder thing to do now, because we have to resist what's going on around us. And it permeates our minds. Because we have to resist what's going on around us. And it permeates our minds, and our hearts. But what is thrust at us through the media? Through music? And then, yes. Continuing on. When you cry, let them that you have gathered, delivered you. But the wind will carry them away. The wind shall carry them off. The breath shall blow them away. And he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. And he shall say, this is God, cast out, cast out, prepare the way, take the stumbling block out of the way of my people. This is actually a prophecy of what God is going to do for all of our nations. Cast out, cast out, is that the grave, casting up the dead? Prepare the way. Christ and the work that God is doing. Take the stumbling block out of the way of my people. Satan bound. Blindness removed. For, continuing in verse 15, for thus says the High and Lofty One, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy. I dwell in the high and holy place, even with the one who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not continue to be a slave to the Lord, for I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry, for the spirit of man will then fail before me in the souls which I have made. So God is looking to those who are contrite and of a humble spirit. Those who are willing to look and examine themselves and to see where they've fallen short. On verse 18, I have seen his ways and will heal him. I will also lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners. How often when we produce problems for ourselves, or other people produce problems for us, it causes us to be in a state of mourning, of sadness. Friendships dissolve. Friendships are tarnished. Tarnished. No doubt, I'm no longer able to enjoy fellowship with some people. This is not what God wants. Isaiah 59, so 59 verse 1. Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, nor is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities, that your lawlessness, has come between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you. That he will not hear. How important is it to examine ourselves? Have we got some secret soul in our life that we're not really facing up to, or something that we know we need to deal to, but we haven't yet? Is that affecting our relationship with God? Is that stopping our prayers? In Isaiah 59 verse 8, this is speaking of Israel. They have not learned the way of peace, and there is no justice in their ways. They have made crooked paths for themselves, and whoever goes therein shall not find peace. Therefore justice is far from us, nor does righteousness overtake us. We wait for light, but behold, darkness. For brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. We grope along the wall like blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes. We stumble at noonday as in the night. Among those who are strong, we are like dead men. How many of our leaders are solving the problems that we face as a nation? Seems that every time that decision's made, it just makes things worse. Trying to make things better. What's the consequence of that in verse 11? We all roar like bears, and mourn previously like dogs. How many of us feel that way with the things that are going on around us with our nations? Mourning for the suffering that people are being put under, put through. And roaring at the injustices that are performed. Verse 12, for our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us. This is against God, our sins. For our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them. Our lawlessnesses, we know them. In rebellion and denial of the Lord, and turning away from our God. Talking perversity and revolt, conceiving and speaking from the heart, words of falsehood. And justice is driven backwards, and righteousness stands afar off. But truth has fallen in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Do we find that today? Sadly, yes. Can it change? Yes, it can. Now, what sort of world would we have if everybody took the admonition that God gets to examine ourselves, to see where we fall short, to compare ourselves with the Word of God? What kind of a world would we have? If everybody repented, and turned from what they were doing, that was evil, against God's way of love. Pretty simple, love God and love your neighbour. It's not hard. It's not hard to know. It's very hard to do. And that's where the how comes up. And we're told through the scriptures how. It's through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The receiving of his Spirit. And walking in that way of life. Is it important to examine ourselves? This is another Passover season. They'll up a piece of unleavened bread coming in. It's so easy to become a complacent. It's so easy to hear the things that we've heard for year upon year upon year. And to gloss over them. We need to take it to heart. Verse 15. Yes, truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. How often does that happen? It's happened to me lots. And the Lord saw, and it was evil in his eyes, that there was no justice. And he saw that there was no man and was astonished. There was no intercessor. Therefore, his own arm brought salvation to him. And his righteousness sustained him. So God did something about it. And he had determined this from the foundation of the world before time. When he established the recreation and reformation of the earth. And put Adam and Eve on it. In verse 17, how did God do this? For he, God, put on righteousness like a breastplate. And a helmet of salvation upon his head. And he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing. And was covered with zeal like a cloak. Does God get angry? Verse 18. According to their deeds, accordingly, he will repay. Fury to his foes, deed for deed to his enemies. He will repay their deeds to the idols. Nowhere, no one will escape. It's amazing how that little section of scripture is a prophecy of what God does. To rescue humanity from our own selves. And us personally from ourselves. And here in verse 17, is what was expounded on in Ephesians. And this is what God did. And we're called to be his children, to be his sons or daughters. And we're also admonished to do the same things. To put on righteousness like a breastplate. To protect our hearts and our minds. And a helmet of salvation protecting our heads. Where our minds are, the seat of their intelligence. Matthew 4 and verse 17. Matthew 4 and verse 17. How important is it to repent? To change? Matthew 4 and verse 17. This is where Christ had just overcome Satan. Being tempted in the wilderness. And on verse 17, from that time, Jesus began to preach and to say, repent, it means change. Why? For the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He was talking to people who are living in the kingdom of Rome and of Israel. And here Christ was saying, you need to change because there's a change in kinship killing. In order to change, we need to actually see what we need to change. Proverbs 16 and verse 6. Proverbs 16 and verse 6. The way of this world is to change others to suit ourselves. But the way God says to change the world is to change ourselves. The way of this world is to change others to suit ourselves. But the way God says to change the world is to change ourselves. And then the world will change. Proverbs 16 and verse 6. By mercy and truth, iniquity, that's lawlessness, is purged. It's got rid of. It isn't anymore. Now, by mercy and truth. Continuing. And by the fear of the law, that's the awesome respect. Men turn away from evil. We need to examine ourselves. Consider. Now nations, people need to do this. What a world we'd have. Do we want to? If you turn to 2nd Corinthians chapter 2. 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 6. 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 6. This is where the man problem in the church had arisen. And the man had taken his father's wife. The church had put him out. So that it would wake him up to what he had done wrong. But what was to happen after that? Focus here is forgiveness. And there's a reason for it. In 2nd Corinthians 6 and verse. Sorry, 2nd Corinthians 2 verse 6. To such a one, this punishment, which was impacted by the majority of you, is sufficient for you. Which was impacted by the majority of you is sufficient. That was the person who had taken his father's wife. He'd been put out. Now he'd come back because he repented. He changed. What was the problem now? In verse 7. So that on the contrary, you should rather forgive and encourage him. Lest such a one be swallowed up with overwhelming sorrow. Do we do this when people have offended us? Sinned against God? Sinned against us? Are we willing to forgive from the heart? It takes strength. It's not by our own power or might. It's by the spirit of God. By his spirit. I had circumstance once when I knew I had to forgive. But I also knew that I couldn't. I didn't have it rhythmically. I knew what I had to do. I prayed about it. And God gave me the strength to be able to forgive. And as I went through and forgave that person. Which was a grievous sin. On a terrible hurt. God healed my heart. So that I actually felt it. That I wanted to forgive them. And I felt healed myself. I challenge you all. To prove God. That it's by his spirit. Not by our strength or might. Or choose to do what's right. Choose to follow what God says. Yes, it's hard. But he gives us power and the strength. And as Christ said. Through Paul. I can do all things through him. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. All things. There's nothing too hard. It just requires our choice. Continuing in verse 8. For this reason I exhort you to confirm your love toward him. Now for this cause I wrote to you. That I might know by testing you. Whether you are obedient in everything. And to whom you forgive anything. I also forgive. And if I also have forgiven anything. To whomever I have forgiven it. For your sake. I forgave it in the person of Christ. And here's the reason. Verse 11. So that we may not be outwitted by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his things. Who wants to divide and destroy us. The one with the very name of the executive. Sorry. Let's see. We're going to allow that. What are we choosing? Second Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 4. Second Corinthians 3 and verse 4. Now we have this confidence through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves. Or credit anything to our own abilities. Rather the competency is from God. Who also made us competent as ministers of the new covenant. Not of the letter. But of the spirit. For the letter kills. But the spirit gives life. Are we willing to forgive as Christ gave? As he forgives us? As we are told in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. Forgive us as we forgive others. The golden rule. Do to others as you would have them want done to you. Are we living that? Is there something that we're too painful? What would be more painful if we don't deal to it? And in second Corinthians 4 and verse 1 to 3. Second Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 1. Therefore having this ministry according as we have received mercy. We are not fainthearted. So often it's easy to be fainthearted. Why was Paul not fainthearted? Verse 2. For we have personally relounced the hidden things of dishonest gain. It's a hidden thing. How often do people in business try to take a dishonest gain by not giving what they should. Not doing a job properly. Taking shortcuts. Do we do that? Continuing on verse 2. Not looking and cunning crafting us. Outsmarting people. Taking advantage. Instead of dealing openly and honest. It might be a little uncomfortable at the time. But the outcome will be much better. It will be peace. Continuing on verse 2. Nor handling the word of God deceitfully. How often do we hear people misquoting the word of God to justify what they're doing. Either in willing ignorance. Or just not understanding. Continuing on verse 2. But by manifestation of the truth. We are commending ourselves to every man's conscience before God. That manifestation of the truth is when we live it. People can see it. And then they can believe it and understand it. And that's what the apostle Paul here was saying. Not everybody will see it or recognize it. In verse 3. But if our gospel is hidden it is hidden to those who are perishing. They don't understand. And we can't make them understand. Only God can open their eyes. And in verse 4. In whom the God of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. The reason being. Continuing on. Let the light of the gospel. Good news. Of the glory of Christ. And as the image of God should shine unto them. Stop their time to understand. Yes we make ourselves a prey. To depart from evil. But in doing so. People see. Why did you do that when you could have taken advantage of it. And you didn't. And then in the day when God visits them. They'll remember. And they will glorify God. And they will respond in the right way. Because that's in your example. They remember those things. They stand out. Ephesians 4 and verse 1. Ephesians 4 and verse 1. Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 1. Therefore I. This is Paul. The prisoner of the Lord. And exhorting you to walk worthily of the calling. To which you recall. With all humility and meekness. With long suffering. Forbearing one another in love. That's an interesting one. Forbearing one another in love. That's giving them time and space to grow up. God gives us that. Is it any less to expect us to behave that way towards our brothers and sisters? Those who are not as mature. Weren't behaving in a wrong way. They don't have the strength or the faith as yet. It's not our place to condemn them. Or to judge them. But to keep our eyes on Christ. And to be the example that they need. Of the way through it. Continuing in verse 2. With all humility and meekness. With long suffering. Forbearing one another in love. Being diligent to keep the unity of the spirit. And the bond of peace. That's our faith is to live at peace. The unity of the spirit. Being willing to forgive. To overlook. To allow people to grow. And in verse 11. And he that is God gave some as apostles and some prophets. And some evangelists and some pastors and teachers. Verse 12 is the reason why. For the perfecting of the saints. That's bringing to full completion. For the work of the ministry. That's service. For the edifying of the body of Christ. Until we all come into the unity of the faith. And of the knowledge of the son of God. Unto a perfect man. Unto the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ. So that we are no longer be children. Tossed and carried about with every wind of doctrine. Which is teaching. By the slight of men. And in cunning craftiness. With a view to the systematizing of the error. But holding the truth of love. Let all things grow up into him who is the head. Even Christ. It's a tall calling. To become like Christ. To become like God. We live in an evil world. In an evil age. But God gives us the power and the strength to be able to do it. And the grace. And the time. Ephesians 4 verse 22. Now how should we respond? Verse 22. That concerning your former conduct. Think about the way you were before your call. Before you understood a new beginner about something. What's our approach? That concerning. Verse 22. Your former conduct. You put off the old man. That's the old way of doing things. Which is corrupt. According to the deceitful lusts. We want what we want. How we want. Now. And let you be renewed. Verse 23. That you be renewed in the spirit. And let you be renewed in the spirit. That you be renewed in the spirit. Of your mind. And that you put on the new man. Which according to God is created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. How can we do this if we don't examine ourselves? If we don't carefully consider. Where have I missed Mark? Where am I missing? Verse 25. Therefore let each one put away lies. And speak the truth with his labor. Because we are members of one another. Here's an interesting one. Verse 26. When you become angry. It's not wrong to be angry. It's not wrong when you're on the road. And someone's behaved badly. To be angry. There are consequences for bad behavior. Or sin. And it affects everybody. As it happened to Israel. When one man. Stole something. When they were going in to take the city. And he hid it in his tent. The whole nation suffered. How much more. Our actions. And the way that we think and do things. When we are to be. And we're called to be the children of God. And to rule as kings and priests. And as government. We need to examine ourselves. To make sure that we are. Walking in love in all times. It's hard. It's a challenge. But God's done it. And he's made the way through Christ for us. When you become angry. In verse 26. Do not sin. When you get angry. It's very easy to lose control. Of our emotions and our minds. And our thoughts. And our actions. And our behavior. And we can easily lash out. And then we end up sinning again. On verse 26. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Resolve it today. So that you and they will sleep better. That you won't have the problem compounded for the next day. Verse 27. Neither give place to the devil. As we've got a beachhead in our minds. In our hearts. Because of our unwillingness to change. To repent. And it goes on to list a whole lot of. Works of the flesh. I'd encourage you to go through those. As preparation for. I haven't read. And the rest of that chapter. Ephesians 5 and verse 12. This one. Ephesians 5 and verse 1. Therefore. The imitators of God. As beloved children. And walk in love. Isn't that evil as Christ also loved us. And gave himself for us. As an offering. And a sacrifice to God. For a sweet smelling savor. And then again. I'd encourage you to read the rest of this chapter. Then again. I'd encourage you to read the rest of this chapter. It again lists the lusts of the flesh. And of the mind. And highlights. Things we need to be careful. To avoid. Verse 6. Do not let anyone deceive you with vain words. For because of these things. The wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. How important is it to know the truth. Very. Lest we be deceived. How many people like being lied to. Or when they find out they've been lied to. They get really angry. And then. They get really angry. And then. Things just go from bad to worse. We need to know the truth. We need to prove all things. We need to examine things. We need to examine ourselves. Verse 10. Proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. Prove it. What's God will. What does he say. How does that apply to you. Verse 15. So then take heed that you work walk. Circumspectly. Not as fools. But as those who are wise. Verse 16. Redeeming the time. Because the days are evil. Verse 21. Submit yourselves. To one another. In the fear of God. This is an attitude of humility. An attitude of wanting to seek peace. Of wanting to resolve difficulties and problems. Work together with people. Verse 22. Why submit yourselves to your own husband as to the Lord. Even if he's made a mistake or a wrong decision. By submitting yourself to him. You are following God's instruction. And in time. The error will come to light. And. You'll be able to both turn from it. And you'll save yourself a heap of trouble in the meantime. Verse 23. For the husband is the head of the wife. He is not even as Christ is the head of the church. And he is the savior of the body. For even if the church is subject to Christ. In the same way also let wives be subject to their own husbands and everything. There's accountability. Husbands have the greater accountability. To get it right. To prove what is right and acceptable. Verse 25. Husbands love your wives. In the same way that Christ also loved the church. And gave himself for it. So that he might sanctify it. That set it apart as holy. Continuing in verse 26. Having cleansed it. With the washing of water by the word. Why? So that he might present it to himself. As the glorious church. Not having spot or wrinkle. Or any such thing. But that it may be holy without way. That's the way. Simply said. Requires a choice. Not carrying through. Not believing in God. And trusting him. Return to Romans chapter 7. Romans chapter 7. Romans chapter 7 in verse 14. This is something that Paul struggled with. And every human being struggles with. And that's the nature that we have. That we've inherited through being born. Because of the decisions that Adam and Eve made. Or choosing to decide for themselves what was right and what was wrong. God's giving us time to prove that. What's the consequences? To learn the hard way. Sometimes that's the best way of learning. Somewhat at times people will only learn that way. We don't have to. We can be wise. We can be careful. We can be prudent. We can look unto the word of God. We can examine ourselves. And we can avoid the problems. And in so doing we're building character. And we're becoming holy. And becoming the children that God wants us to be. His children. Behaving like he does. A God of love. Of power. Of mercy. In verse 14. For we know that the Lord is spiritual. That I am carnal. Flesh. Having been sold as a slave unto sin. Because what I'm working out myself. I do not know. For what I do not desire to do. This I do. Moreover what I hate. This is what I do. Verse 16. But if I am doing what I do not desire to do. I agree with the law that it's good. Slavery and I'm no longer working it out myself. Rather the sin that is dwelling within me. Because I fully understand that there is not dwelling within me. That is within my fleshly being any good. For the desire to do good is present within me. How often have we heard the comment. The way to Gehenna or hell is paved with good intentions. It wasn't acted on. Continuing in verse 18. But how to work out that which is good. I do not for. Verse 19. For the good that I desire to do. I'm not doing. But the evil that I do not desire to do. This I am doing. But if I do what I do not desire to do. I am no longer working it out myself. But sin that is dwelling within me. Consequently I find this law in my members. That when I desire to do good. Evil is present with me. That's the battle that we have. And this is a battle that's given to every human being. And God has allowed this. So that we will learn. Hopefully not the hard way. Hopefully not too many mistakes. That would not be helpful for us or others around us. Verse 22. For I delight in the law of God. According to the inward man. But I see another law within my own members. Warring against the law. Law of my mind. How often do we have a battle in our minds? And we're confronting something. Continuing verse 23. And leaving me captive to the law of sin. That is within my own members. What are we choosing to do? We need to be careful. How we walk. How we think. To guard our minds. To guard the balls of our minds. Because out of it flow the issues of life. In Proverbs. Verse 24. Oh what a wretched man I am. Into our own hearts and our own minds sometimes. It's not a better place to look. Continuing in verse 24. Who shall save me from the body of this debt? I thank God for his salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of this on the one hand. I myself serve the law of God with my mind. But on the other hand with the flesh. I serve the law of sin. I thank God for his work in Christ. And his work on us. Be thankful. And on verse 1 of chapter 8. Consequently. There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. We're not walking according to the flesh. But according to the spirit. Yes we fall down. Yes we make mistakes. Yes we're falling short again and again and again. Providing we get up like the righteous man in Proverbs. He gets up seven times. He carries on. We go back to God who is rich in mercy. In graciousness. And our sins are covered. Because we are examining ourselves. Because we are recognizing our shortcomings. And determining to overcome them and change. So that our lives can be better. And the lives of those around us can be better. There's 2 in chapter 8. Because the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has delivered me. Jesus has delivered me from the law of sin and death. If you go to Hebrews 12. Hebrews 12 and verse 1. There's a law of life. It promises eternal life. Is it worth it to examine ourselves? To make those hard choices? Yes there's a cost now. Benefit later is eternal life. And joy is that we've been promised that we know nothing of as yet. Are we willing to sell out? To sell ourselves short? Hebrews 12 and verse 1. Therefore since we're surrounded by such a great throng of witnesses. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entraps us. Let us run the race set before us with endurance. That means to constantly keep trying. And the only way we can do that is by going to God in prayer each day. And using those tools he's given us. It's a word of God to study. To pray. To meditate. To fast. To be determined to do better next time. And that's what God said to Cain. If you do well will you not be accepted? Can we do well? Yes we can. It just requires a choice and looking. Hebrews 12 and verse 2. Having our minds fixed on Jesus. Beginner and finisher of our faith. Faith is a gift. But we also need to exercise faith for God. It's faith. 1, 2, 3. Continuing in verse 2. The beginner and finisher of our faith. Who for the joy that lay ahead of him endured the cross. Without fear of death. Who for the joy that lay ahead of him endured the cross. Without he despised the shame he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Now meditate. Let's think deeply on him. Who endured such great hostility of sinners against himself. So that you do not become weary and faint in your minds. Verse 4. You have not yet resisted to the point of losing blood in your struggle against. So we haven't been through what Christ went through. But yet hopefully we don't have to. Hopefully we learn the lesson now the easy way. By examining ourselves. Verse 5. You've already forgotten the admonition that he addresses to you as to sons. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord. Nor grow weary of being reproved by him. For whom the Lord loves he chastens. And he severely disciplines every son whom he receives. We do that for our children. For their benefit. God does it for us. Verse 11. Now truly no chastisement for the present seems to be joyous. But grievous. Nevertheless, afterwards it yields peaceable fruit of righteousness. Good results. To those who have been exercised by it. We go through the pain and not learn. But are willing to learn. By taking careful thought. And action. Therefore in verse 12. Lift up the hands that are hanging down. And revive the weakened knees. Yes, sometimes we feel like that. Verse 13. And make straight paths for your feet. That is, follow God's instructions. Lest that which is lame. The things that we have problems with. Be turned aside. But let it rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone. And holiness. Without which no one will see the Lord. It's important to examine ourselves. Carry on. Keep going. There's a final scripture in Romans 8. Romans 8. Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8 and verse 5. For those who walk according to the flesh. Mind the things of the flesh. But those who walk according to the spirit. Mind the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity. That's against or an enemy. Against God. For it is not subject to the law of God. Neither indeed can it be. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However you're not in the flesh. But in the spirit. If the spirit of God is indeed dwelling within you. And we have the spirit of God at baptism. And the laying on of hands. And that was a promise. And there are other scriptures that actually give us. The standard by which we know. That we have the spirit of God. But if anyone does not have the spirit of God. He does not belong to him. Verse 11. Now the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is dwelling within you. If the spirit is dwelling within you. He who raised Christ from the dead will also quicken your mortal bodies. Because of his spirit. That dwells within you. So then brothers. We're not debtors to the flesh. To live according to the flesh. Because if you are living according to the flesh. You shall die. But if by the spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body. You shall live. Verse 14. For as many as are led by the spirit of God. These are the sons of God. And the spirit of God brings to remembrance the things that have been taught. We go through life. We think around a situation. We think about the choices we're making. Think on God's word. This is what he says to do. We do those things. That's being led by the spirit of God. Now you've not received the spirit of bondage again to fear. But you receive the spirit of sonship. Whereby we call out. The close relationship. The spirit itself bears witness. Conjointly with our own spirit. Testifying that we are the children of God. I'm going to verse 38. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life. Nor angels nor principalities. Nor powers nor things present. Nor things to come. This is Romans 8 verse 39. Nor height. Nor depth. Nor any other created thing. Shall be able to separate us from the love of God. Which is in Christ Jesus. Our Lord. It's the final scripture. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us. Then who can be against us?