"But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court. In fact, I do not even examine myself. I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord" (1 Cor. 4:3-4)
As a minister, Paul is saying that he is not offended when people crticize or be puffed up when humans examine him. This doesn't mean he isn't sensitive to feedback, but he can't let his congregation decide how true his motives are. Same with evaluating himself. All of us are naturally inclined to build ourselves up in our own minds.
Paul is not doubting his salvation, but since this is written in the context of evaluating the minister, he is expressing humility in that ministry. He said, "I am conscious of nothing against myself (2 Cor. 1:12), but he knew he could be wrong in his assessment of himself; he knew he needed to take heed lest he fall (1 Cor. 10:12) So he continued explaining to them - "yet I am not by this acquitted", that is, just because he was not conscience of any sin, that does not mean he acquits himself. The only evaluation that makes a difference is the Lord's. I think this is a good place to be.
Paul knew of no serious sin or deficiency in his own life. This implies that he had examined himself spiritually. In terms of salvation, we are told to examine ourselves to see if we are of the faith, but there are many scriptures that assure the Christian of salvation and that it cannot be lost. In fact, the whole book of 1 John is written with pointed questions in order to examine ourselves, but it was written with the intent of assuring the reader of their salvation if they meet those critieria. So for the saved Christian, we are to be our toes to live that criteria out, again in humility.
So I think that the context of writing about critiquing one's ministry as opposed to salvation are two different things.
Doubting my salvation is something I've never done. I don't understand how a person who has been born again could ever doubt they were saved. It's just one of those things you Know that you Know.
You are very blessed, Deborah. I myself am plagued with doubt from time to time. (Which then makes me wonder - am I truly saved/born again? Because apparently if I were, I would have no doubts.) So perhaps you (and many, many, many others) are right, and my doubts mean I am not saved.
Not necessarily Mountainlass. Having doubts does not mean you are not saved. Our faith is dependant upon trusting in His promise, not our own strength of faith.
If you are trusting in Jesus Christ alone (not works, not yourself, not anyone or anything else) for your salvation, you can take God at His word that you are saved.
Examine your life for evidence of that faith. Are you growing in God's word? Is the pattern of your life moving towards less sin? Are you bearing fruit (that is, good results) to God's glory? Are your prayers being answered? Do you love God's people? These are just a few of the evidences of salvation, (not the means of salvation) that can assure you of your salvation.
If you struggle in this area, ask God to assure you of your salvation. He said that all who come to Him He will save and not turn away.
Paul was writing to a church that was divisive, split, arguing, and off on several different wrong tracks. The previous section talks about ways to look at yourself honestly, then Paul says that he does not care if anyone judges him. Margo said it well (as usual) in that I think also Paul is saying he has examined himself, is honest with himself, and finds nothing major in himself that is away from God's will or what a Christian should be. And therefore he just does not care how others view him. He goes on to say not to judge people before the appointed time, which seemed to be one of the problems in this church.
Really, I can add very little to what Margo said already. Thanks for sharing, sister! :applause:
Mountainlass, sometimes doubts are just shadows of our faith. If you believe in and profess Jesus--believe He came and died to make a way for us, and make a sincere attempt to follow the two great commandments, I believe you are saved. Doubts or no doubts. There are a lot of different reasons someone might have doubts, but I've met few Christians who've gone from the moment of salvation to the grave without ever having any doubts--most aren't doubting Jesus ability to save, but their own humanity. They see as Paul said "our righteousness is as filthy rags", and admit that they've done so little in consideration of the Cross. Thankfully our salvation isn't based on our goodness, but Christ's. For others, God uses what we consider "doubt" as a step toward greater purpose in Him-- for these isn't really doubt but a longing to do more or to serve Him in a special way.
Two, when we are born again we are entrusted with something very valuable and precious. We must be proven faithful. Others may question us. We may stand before judges and kings and governments. But no matter what others determine, God is our judge. We shouldn't judge others as less than ourselves, nor should we judge ourselves as more or less than others. The Corinthians were standing proudly against one another, feeling they were better because of who baptized or discipled them. The answer is in the next verses: 6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, �Do not go beyond what is written.� Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
It was an ongoing issue in Corinth, apparently. In 2 Cor 10:12, he reminds them: For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Let's say you are in the middle of a lake drowning.
A boat passes by and asks if you need help, you can refuse and drown or accept and be saved.
You accept and a hand reaches out and grabs you by the wrist. Are you saved at this point?....Yes, but you could be thinking "I hope I do not slip from his grasp"
You are pulled into the boat. Are you saved at this point?...Yes,but you could be thinking what if I fall out or the boat capsizes?
You are taken ashore and helped out of the boat onto dry land. Are you saved now? .....Yes because you are in heaven!
The point is your salvation depends on the boat captain's grasp and ability to get you to shore, not yours. And in this case the boat captain is God.
So if you really think about it,...if you doubt, it is not yourself you are doubting, but Gods ability to do what He promised when He asked and you accepted.
I see and appreciate your point, TwoSparrows, and you're right; but it's not always that simple. And it's just too long and complicated a saga to go into here. I don't doubt God; I doubt myself. (And no, this isn't a pride thing, where I think I'm some sort of special exception.)
But I don't want to hijack the topic and conversation, so I shall discontinue my digression. Here's a rabbit trail for another day.
Highjack this thread? Your topic is FAR more important than all of us sharing about a Bible verse. Besides I started this thread:nahnah:!
You say it is complicated? In my humble opinion salvation can't be complicated, that would mean only smart people could be saved.
If it is something else....you gotta ask yourself; if you fell out of the boat, do you think the boat captain would just leave you, or turn around and pick you up again?
