Test Yourselves: Are We His?
Albert E. Farley
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His …” 2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
The salvation of our soul is the one matter of life about which we must be absolutely sure. Christ said, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Mt 7:21.
Are We His Disciples? The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26. All who are Christ’s are Christians. A disciple is a “learner, a pupil.” Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jn 8:31, 32; Col 3:17. The suffix ian means, “that which is of or relating to.” A Christian is one who is of or who relates to Christ. Our being a Christian in word, only, means nothing to our salvation. The Bible says, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Rom 8:9. Millions of men and women in the world are called Christians. Are they? Claiming something to be so does not make it so. Are we really His?
Are We His Body, His Church? Christ built His church. Mt 16:18, 19. It is His; He built it; He purchased it with His own blood! Acts 20:28. He built only one. Are we in it? Moses was faithful in his house as a servant, but Christ, as a Son, is over His own house, “whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” Heb 3:5, 6. Christ’s church is His body. Eph 1:22, 23. He has only one. 4:4 Are we members of it? He, alone, adds to it and is the Savior of it. Acts 2:41, 47; Eph 5:23. Are we His?
Are We His Kingdom? Christ built His church and gave the keys of the kingdom to His apostles. Mt 16:19. When we obey the “keys” found in the gospel of Christ, the Father in heaven delivers us from the power of darkness and translates us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Col 1:12, 13. Christ’s kingdom is now – today – in this world! Are we in it?
Are We His Sheep, His Fold? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, said, “… the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” Jn 10:3, 4. There is one, true, Shepherd and one, true, sheepfold. Speaking to the Jews of the Gentiles, Jesus said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Are we His?
Are We His Family? When His mother and family sought to come closer to speak with him, Jesus asked, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Mt 12:46-50. Are we His?
Are We His Priesthood, His Temple, His House? Christ Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Heb 3:1-6; 6:20. Under His priesthood, all of His disciples are priests of God. “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet 2:5, 9. Those who are His are living stones, building up the temple of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor 6:19, 20. Are we His?
Are We His Saints? The word saint means, “sacred, pure, blameless, holy.” It is applied to all of God’s faithful children! All who have been washed clean and set apart in the church are saints. 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11. Saul did much evil to the saints at Jerusalem. Acts 9:13. Later, when he became Paul, the apostle, he wrote letters to the saints at Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, etc. In his Roman letter, he said, “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.” We do not die, physically, to become saints. We are not voted upon or selected by men to become saints. The efforts of late by the Roman Catholic Church to elevate John Paul II to “sainthood” are not of God.
Dear friends, our study is one of life or death. Do you belong to Christ; are you His? Claiming to be His is not enough. Writing reassuring epitaphs in obituaries or on tombstones is not enough. To be His, we must be His disciples, His body, His church, His kingdom, His sheep, His fold, His family, His priesthood, His house, and His saints. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Cor 13:5. The Bible says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure …” 2 Pet 1:10. –Editor.