We are to examine ourselves daily as Christians to see if we are obeying God, not for salvation but for emotional and Spiritual cleansing and growth.
Those who are in the church should examine themselves to see if they were ever born again or just playing church to feel safe when they need God.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
If someone cannot, because of pride, admit their flaws and failures, it is quite likely they have never been born again.
2 Corinthians 14:4-6 "…4 For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you. 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test."
There was a man who claimed to be a Christian who acted irritated every time a drug addict or thief repented and became born again. He asserted that we don't have to admit all our wrong stuff to be a Christian, as though he never had to do it himself because he never did those big bad sins like those other guys.
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Perhaps the one who was irritated at those icky druggies and thieves thought that he was saved because he never did those bad things, so he deserved salvation. He appeared to despise those who used to live those terrible lives but no longer do because of the Holy Spirit Who now lives in them.
Phariseeism is alive and well in the Christian church today, as well as many false Christians who think they deserve salvation because of how good they think they are or, worse, because they spoke some words that automatically gave them an "in" with God.
They joined a gathering full of people who thought they were saved by their words alone, even without any desire to be transformed by Christ and little interest in obeying the Word of God.
Those who walk with Christ will have all the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Notice the first fruit is love, and all the other fruit operates from that fruit.
Galatians 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
It is not possible to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us without a sense of love and all the other fruit.
We don't see this fruit manifesting often in our culture because most people who have asserted Christianity have never been born again; they have only trusted in themselves and not Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23 "I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
When Christians fail, they hate it, confess is and move forward in Spiritual growth.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
Those who rage when confronted with their sin very likely are not controlled by the Holy Spirit if they were ever born again.
