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We go to doctors for regular checkups—right—just to make sure nothing’s wrong. According to 2 Corinthians 13:5, we are to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. It’s like a faith checkup. Here’s the second way to examine your faith:
- Are you doing the good works God has for you to do?
Galatians 6:3-5 says:
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
So, what are the works you are doing in obedience to the Lord? This passage says we are to test our own actions—or examine our actions. We know from Ephesians 2:10 that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” What are the good works you are doing that God has prepared for you to do?
The works we are to do are part of the gifting God has given to us. For example, if God wants you to help people who are sick or disabled, you will most likely have the gift of mercy. That is what you need to do those kinds of good works. If he wants you to lead a worship team, then no doubt you have some musical gifting that enables you to do that good work. Part of the works God has for me is teaching and writing and speaking. Well, thankfully I love to communicate in these ways.
God would not have a good work for you to do that would be beyond your ability. Oh, for sure it will mean you have to work at it and develop your gifts and skills. But he will equip you to do the good work he has determined in advance for you to do.
So, are you sitting on the sidelines or are you actively doing the works God wants you to do? That’s a really good question to ask yourself as you examine your faith.