Am I still standing?

1st Cor. 10:12, 2nd Cor 13:5, Lam 3:40

This question can also be put as: 

• Am I still in Christ?
  
• Am I in the faith?
  
• Are my feet on the rock?
  
• Am I living the word?
  
• Am I walking in His ways?
  

The bible says in 1 cor 10:12 "so if you think you are standing firm be careful that you do not fall".

Every believer should be asking himself or herself this question from time to time. It is a form of self-assessment. If this question is truly and sincerely answered, it is very helpful and instructive. So be true and sincere to yourself. The bible says in Lam 3:4, "let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord". Paul in 2 Cor 13:5 says "examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves". To be able to answer this question one needs a self assessment and you are in the best position to examine yourself and your way of life. Other people can judge you by outward appearance but you know what things you do that are hidden from others even the closet person to you.

The bible says in Ps 139:23-24 "Search me, o God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the everlasting". Therefore, to ensure that you are still standing and in faith, you should seek that God search you. If you are searched and you are being chastised, count it all joy and be ready to endure it. Heb 12:5-6 says "and you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "my son, do not make light of the Lord's disciplines, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son".

If you claim to be His child, you have to endure chastisement. God chastises you so as to prevent you from perishing with the world. So that you can stand and be able to withstand the evil intrigues of the devil. Devil does not want you to stand but fall. You have to resist it (James 4:7). In Jesus's name you will not fall. Amen

Do not use the world's standard to assess yourself. The world is full of enticements and everyday one is confronted with challenges and temptations of all kinds. The only way of escape is to ask God to help crucify your worldly interests especially in things that won't make you stand and allow you to be in the faith. You may be backsliding and not be sensitive to it. Hence, this sermon is necessary to remind you of self-examination and to ask God to search you.

If you have not been standing, if your faith is shaking, ask God for His grace and I am sure His grace will be sufficient for you.

If you have been standing, and you are falling due to besetting sins, ask God for His grace too.

If you are living in sin and you are comfortable you may be heading for an irredeemable destruction.

If you sin and you are not pricked or agitated about it, it means your heart has been hardened.

Paul warned in 2 Tim 4:4, "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables". May you not be among those who will turn away from the truth. 

You are standing if:

• You are living by the word. A life of holiness and total obedience.
  
• You obey all the commandments and keep His statutes; if you put your trust in Him
  
• You love God with all your heart and walk in His ways.
  

Prayer: O Lord, grant me the grace in Jesus name to be able to walk in your way, to be in the faith and be able to stand on the rock throughout my life time. AMEN