Search Me, O Lord—A Spiritual Evaluation of Growth and Conformity

Search Me, O Lord—A Spiritual Evaluation of Growth and Conformity

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Self-examination is not merely an act of introspection—it is an act of surrender. We stand before the Lord, asking Him to search our hearts, to test our faith, to refine our walk. This is not a fleeting exercise but a continual process of proving ourselves in the faith, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 exhorts: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..."

The fruitfulness of our labour, our obedience to the Word, and our connection to God must be evaluated. Galatians 6:4 reminds us: "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." But let this evaluation not be grounded in external results—our works, our efforts—but rather in our growth and commitment to studying God’s Word.

Is Jesus the Messiah? A Look at the Hebrew Scriptures

Is Jesus the Messiah? A Look at the Hebrew Scriptures

For centuries, the Jewish people have awaited the arrival of the Messiah—the anointed one who will bring redemption and establish God’s kingdom. But what if the Messiah has already come? What if the very scriptures of the Tanakh (Jewish Bible) reveal His identity?

The apostle Paul, a devout Jew trained in the Torah, wrote extensively about the Messiah in his letter to the Romans. But his arguments were not based on new teachings; rather, they were deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. Let’s explore how Paul’s writings align with the prophecies of the Tanakh.

1. The Messiah Must Be from the Line of David

Paul states in Romans 1:3 that the Messiah was “made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” This is a direct reference to the Jewish expectation that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage.

• 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – God promises David that his throne will be established forever.
• Jeremiah 23:5-6 – The Messiah is called the “righteous Branch” from David’s line.
• Micah 5:2 – The ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem, David’s hometown.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem and traced His lineage directly to David, fulfilling this requirement.

The Examples of Paul and Titus to Boldly Proclaim the Gospel

The Examples of Paul and Titus to Boldly Proclaim the Gospel

A Call to Every Believer

Preaching is not exclusive to ordained ministers—it is the calling of every believer. Whether clergy or layman, every follower of Christ has the divine responsibility to proclaim the gospel with conviction and love. The world is filled with opposition, false teachings, and spiritual struggles, yet the gospel remains the power of God unto salvation. But for it to reach hearts, someone must speak it out.

Scripture reveals the lives of faithful men who endured immense challenges yet never wavered. Among them, Paul and Titus serve as shining examples of unwavering dedication. Their ministry was not one of ease, but of perseverance, facing obstacles that sought to silence the truth. And yet, they pressed on. Their faithfulness speaks to us today, calling us to rise, speak, and boldly proclaim God’s salvation in Christ.

Paul and Titus: Faithfulness in the Face of Hardship

Paul’s ministry culminated in two arrests in Rome, each bearing profound significance. His first imprisonment (AD 60–62) saw him under house arrest, still able to teach and encourage. Released after this period, he continued his labour for the gospel, strengthening churches and appointing leaders. This was when he penned his letter to Titus, urging him to establish order and appoint elders on the island of Crete, a land known for deception and moral corruption.

Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Salvation is not just about believing the gospel and receiving the forgiveness of sins—it is the beginning of a lifelong transformation. The moment we trust in Christ, our eternal destiny is secured, but God does not stop there. He begins a good work in us, and that work must continue and grow as we yield to His Word and walk in the Spirit.

Paul assures us in Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This good work is not about our outward circumstances; it is about the inner renewal of the believer. God is shaping us, preparing us, increasing us for our vocation in the Body of Christ. We are not passive in this process—we must engage with His Word, studying our doctrine, allowing it to work in us, and choosing daily to walk by its instruction.

Renewed Day by Day

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Learning from Paul’s Example in Doctrine and Conduct

Learning from Paul’s Example in Doctrine and Conduct

Our emotions are powerful. They can surge within us, demanding action—whether through frustration, impatience, or even resentment. Yet, as believers, we are called to submit to something far greater than our fleeting feelings: the Word of God. The apostle Paul provides us with a striking example of this very principle when, after being unjustly struck in the face before the Jewish council, he humbled himself to the authority of the high priest, prioritizing God’s Word over his emotions.

Paul’s Trial Before the Jewish Leaders

In Acts 23, Paul stood before the Jewish leaders after being seized and falsely accused. As he began to speak, Ananias, the high priest, commanded that Paul be struck. Imagine the moment—a fervent servant of God, unjustly slapped across the face in a setting meant for justice. What was Paul’s initial reaction? His emotions surged, and he immediately rebuked Ananias, saying, “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall” (Acts 23:3, KJV).

Yet, in that very moment, someone informed Paul that he had spoken against the high priest. Paul, being deeply committed to God’s truth, instantly corrected himself:

"I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people" (Acts 23:5, KJV).

Here lies an incredible lesson. Though Paul had a justifiable emotional reaction, he chose to submit to God’s Word. He immediately acknowledged his misstep and brought himself into alignment with scripture.

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The Mystery Revealed

"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." (Colossians 1:25-26, KJV)

Throughout the ages, God has worked through distinct dispensations, each revealing His purpose at its appointed time. The passage above highlights an incredible truth—Paul was entrusted with a unique dispensation, one that had never before been revealed. It was a mystery, hidden from generations past, but now made manifest.

This means that the gospel and doctrine given to Paul were not simply a continuation of what had come before. They were not an extension of the kingdom promises given to Israel, nor were they a repackaging of the message preached by the twelve apostles. Paul received something entirely new—a gospel of grace that was distinct from Israel’s prophetic program.

A Brand-New Gospel and Doctrine

Many today fail to recognise the vital distinction between the earthly ministry of Jesus to Israel and the heavenly revelation of Christ to Paul. Jesus’ earthly ministry was directed to the Jews:

"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24, KJV)