test yourself

PAUL ADMONISHED THE CHURCH at Corinth, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5a). He was returning to Corinth for a third time to address the sinful behavior of believers who were claiming to be in Christ. Apparently, many failed to take seriously the power of evil, and their behavior was causing divisions in the church. This was unfortunately true of some members of the clergy as well. Therefore, Paul told everyone to evaluate their conduct in light of the tenets of the Christian faith. In perhaps his harshest criticism, he said, “Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test” (13:5-10).

A transliteration of verse 5 reads, …examine yourselves whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not recognize yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you unless indeed you fail the test? The Greek phrase “examine yourself” (πειράζετε, peirazete) is from the root peirazó, meaning “make proof of; to attempt, test, tempt.” This is similar to “try” or “trial,” as in a courtroom where one examines the evidence presented.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to test whether they were “in the faith” because many had not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality they practiced prior to knowing Christ (2 Cor. 12:21). The “practice” of sin suggests a deliberate and habitual undertaking that would seem to “disqualify” them as followers of Christ. Paul argued that true believers are identified as “those who have sinned in the past” (προημαρτηκόσιν, proēmartēkosin). Bible Hub’s interlinear translation breaks down the Greek in verse 21 as a perfect participle, “to sin before,” referring to those who before conversion had been guilty of vices especially common the Gentiles (see also 2 Cor. 12:21; 2 Cor. 13:2).1

This was not the first time Paul had admonished the believers at Corinth on their intentional sin. In his first letter, he remarked that many believers were participating in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. He wrote, “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in” (1 Cor. 11:20-22). Paul reminded them that the Lord’s Supper was meant to proclaim the Lord’s death until he returns. He then added, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (vv. 27-28).

Paul was worried about the spiritual well being of the believers at Corinth. Without reservation, he said if they were truly “in the faith” then they would know that Jesus Christ lives inside them. The Holy Spirit would be working on them, promoting spiritual maturity, ongoing sanctification, and moral living. To this end, he adamantly said, “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit” (2 Cor. 13:5, Amplified Bible). We must also examine ourselves. Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit in our daily living? Do we live according to the example given by Jesus? I challenge you to make this your New Year intention.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references contained herein are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

References
1 Bible Hub, “Interlinear Bible,” retrieved Jan. 2, 2024, https://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_corinthians/12.htm

the parable of the narrow door

WHY MUST THE DOOR be narrow? Certainly, there will be more than ample room in heaven for everyone. Its vastness is beyond anything we can imagine. Scripture tells us that God desires everyone to be saved. Paul urged Timothy to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people, for God our Savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (see 1 Tim. 2:1-4). So, why this “narrow door” image of the way to salvation? What is this urgency that we stay on the narrow way? Let’s take a look.

“He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, ‘Lord, will those who are saved be few?’ And he said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able'” (Luke 13:22-24).

It is not about the mathematics of who gets into heaven and who does not; neither the number nor the percentage of earth’s population are what matter here. It requires a humble and repentant heart to respond properly to the gospel. When Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow door,” He is urging people to respond properly to Him before it is too late and the Father (“the owner of the house”) closes the door. This is why Jesus contrasts the narrow gate to the “broad road.” The broad road (the “freeway of this world”) will always be crowded with people on a highway to hell.

Our citizenship in heaven comes when we enter into a relationship with Christ.

Only Certain People

When Jesus was asked whether only a few will be saved, He did not directly answer with “yes” or “no.” The point is not how many individuals make it into heaven. Rather it is about a proper response to the gospel, for it is only through believing in Christ that we can take the next exit off the broad road and head toward the narrow gate. Citizenship in heaven, if you will, is made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but our entrance is not guaranteed. Although Jesus died for our sins, we have the responsibility of believing that we were crucified and raised up with Him to new life. We must believe that His death removes our sin and guilt.

The way to destruction is easy, but the way that leads to life is narrow and hard (see Matt. 7:13-14).

Concluding Thoughts

Jesus is the narrow way. He is the only way to the Father (see John 14:6). He is the only way of salvation (see Rom. 10:9-11). He lived and ministered on earth to provide detailed instructions for us to follow Him. We are to walk as He walked. Following in His footsteps, living as He lived, is the way to progressive sanctification. He is the gate of the sheep (see John 10:7); the bread of life (John 6:35); and the resurrection (John 11:25). L. Thompson writes, “The Gateway to Life is small. It is filled with many trials designed to refine and reveal our faith…It is not a selective process but a daily slaying of our flesh to allow God’s Spirit to resonate through us.” He added, “… I find that the more I seek to know the Lord, serve Him, and live for Him that the road has become less crowded.”1

God desires for all men to be saved. The parable of the narrow door reminds us of the harsh truth that not everyone will make it into heaven. Jesus tells us to strive, yearn for, pursue, chase after the narrow gate. The gate is “narrow” because the opportunity for entrance into heaven is meant only for those who call upon the Name of Jesus and be saved.

Steven Barto, BS PSY, ThM

Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references contained herein are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

References
1 L. Thompson, The Narrow Road, July 8, 2020, retrieved Dec. 10, 2023, https://lthomason.wordpress.com/2020/07/08/the-narrow-road/

It’s Not the Mirror’s Fault

THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE, “Look at what is before your eyes” (2 Cor. 10:7a). He continued, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves… when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12). We must each examine our own actions and assume responsibility for them without comparing ourselves to or rejecting others (see Gal. 6:4-5). In the same manner, we are responsible for how we appear to others. If they don’t see Christ in us, then Christ might not see us in Him. Just as a mirror reflects what you look like on the outside, God’s Word reflects what you’re like on the inside.

God’s Mirror

Have you ever seen yourself in the Bible? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God’s Word discerns the ruminations of our heart. Scripture is our true spiritual mirror. Regardless of dispensation or covenant, we are told to find our image in the Word of God. With Scripture as our starting point, we take all action necessary to walk in God’s will. We will never see who we are in Christ without dying to our own moralism. This means turning from the world and its “horizontal” orientation to the Word and its “vertical” orientation.

Other Mirrors

I learned during my recovery from addiction that we tend to despise in others those character traits we hate in ourselves. Whenever I see my defects of character in someone else, I summarily judge and reject them, deciding they’re “too difficult to be around.” Worse, I use their blemishes to prop up my good traits. I also tended to project my bad traits onto others, deciding, “Well, at least I’m not that bad.” But it’s not possible to fully walk out our salvation with fear and trembling when we predicate it on the success or failure of those around us, for it is God who works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (see Phil. 2:12-13). The Greek verb rendered “work out” in this passage of Scripture (katergazoma) means “continually work to bring something to completion or fruition—an activity involving considerable expenditure of effort.” The way we avoid being arrogant in our “walk” is by using the Word of God as our mirror rather than comparing ourselves to others.

“A flower does not think of competing [with] the flower next to it. It just blooms.” —Theodore Roosevelt.

It should be our “life’s work” to walk out our salvation, with the goal of becoming more like Christ. Paul calls it “…conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). This is not optional. Paul says we must initiate the action and then participate in its effects, putting forth real effort to walk as Christ walked. The Christian life is not merely an exercise in passive trust; rather, it must be about active obedience! We cannot battle sin or discipline ourselves to do good by our own power. The flesh cannot control itself. It wants what it wants. Pastor Rick Warren asks, “When was the last time you looked in a mirror? You probably look in one every day—maybe even multiple times! Why do you look in a mirror? You use it to evaluate yourself. And then you do something about what you see.”1 He adds, “Just as a mirror reflects what you look like on the outside, God’s Word reflects what you’re like on the inside.”2

In a recent message, Pastor Brandon Mestach (from the local Christ Wesleyan Church) said we must always be available to be used by God in faithful practice of the faith. He calls this “active participation.” He said we must also practice the “religion of done.” In other words, from the knowledge that Jesus paid it all. He conquered sin and death. Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said, “I thirst” (John 19:29). Then, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30). Most of us keep fighting a battle that’s already won. But we were never supposed to “create” the victory over sin. Instead, trust in the redemptive work of Christ and go forth from the springboard of “done.”

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references contained herein are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

References
1 Rick Warren, “How to Use the Bible Like a Mirror,” PastorRick.com (a blog), April 14, 2020, accessed Oct. 31, 2022, https://pastorrick.com/how-to-use-the-bible-like-a-mirror/
2 Ibid.

In Christ

WHAT DOES IT MEAN to be “in Christ?” Paul wrote, “For our sake [the Father] made [the Son] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (see 2 Cor. 5). We have been reconciled through the death and resurrection of Christ. Under the Old Covenant, there was an inner chamber in the tabernacle called the “holy of holies.” Inside was the ark of the covenant containing the tablets on which God wrote the ten commandments with his finger (see Exo. 31:18). This holiest place was restricted to the high priest, and then only after a complex series of cleansing rituals. Now, under the New Covenant, those who call upon the Name of Jesus and believe He is the Messiah are redeemed of their sins and washed clean by His righteousness. The veil that separated us from the presence of God has been ripped down, and our relationship with the Father has been restored.

Who Christ Is

Jesus said, “I came down from Heaven” (John 6:38-39). He told others, “My many miracles are a sign of who I am” (John 10:36-39). Jesus boldly stated, “I and the Father are One” (John 10:30-33). More emphatically, He told the Pharisees, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). Then they said to Jesus, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” (v. 57). Jesus responded, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (v. 58). The Pharisees considered this to be blasphemy, so they picked up stones to throw at Jesus but He escaped. At the last supper, Jesus told His disciples “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

John writes in his Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

The writer of Hebrews writes, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:1-3). Further, the Father said of the Son,”…your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom…” (Heb. 1:8), adding, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands” (1:10). God said of Jesus, “Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted” (Isa. 52:13).

I recommend reading Isaiah 52:13 through 53:10 where you will find what many biblical scholars have called the gospel according to God.

Who We Are in Christ

We become entirely new creatures in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Not just a propped up, spruced up, remodeled version, but a brand new construction from the foundation to the roof. After all, nothing can be “new” until the “old” ceases to exist. Paul says, “…you are all sons of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27) [emphasis added]. In the NIV translation, verse 27 reads, “…you have clothed yourselves with Christ” [emphasis added]. Having been redeemed by the blood of Christ, we are now clothed in His righteousness. Isaiah writes, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isa. 61:10) [emphasis added]. When the Father looks at us, He sees us clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture contained herein is from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Things Have Gotten Worse, Not Better!

SIX YEARS AGO, I posted an article on this blog titled Fentanyl Becomes Deadly Force. It said, “The deadly heroin and opioid epidemic is expected to become even deadlier with the increasing presence of Fentanyl in America.” During the first quarter of 2017, heroin combined with Fentanyl was detected in 61% of opioids seized for evidence and inspected in DEA labs. So far in 2023, laboratory testing indicates 70% of pills seized by DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. DEA has already seized a record 86 million fentanyl pills in 2023, which exceeds the 2022 total of 58 million pills.1 Fentanyl is being illegally manufactured in labs (primarily in China) at extremely low cost. It is produced in powder form, and is also pressed into pills, and smuggled into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations (OFO) together seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border to the U.S. in 2023, up from 14,700 pounds in 2022.

More Americans than ever are dying from fentanyl overdoses as the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic crashes through every community, in every corner of the country.

The DEA Laboratory System reported in 2022 that approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine.3 Xylazine is called “tranq” on the streets because of its powerful tranquilizing effects. It is currently approved for use as a non-opioid tranquilizer in veterinary medicine, most commonly in cats, dogs, horses, sheep, and cattle. It is not a controlled substance in the United States because it is manufactured for veterinary anesthesia purposes. Heroin and/or fentanyl used with tranq typically causes a zombie-like effect in humans. (See “Philadelphia Kensington Ave.”)

According to North Jersey Recovery Center, tranq is one of the most dangerous drugs on the street.4 Tranq tends to amplify the effects of opioids. Because of this, dealers often add it to opioids to give buyers a stronger high as a way to secure repeat business. Serious side effects of abusing tranq include blurry vision, increased blood sugar levels, slow or ineffective breathing, slower heart rate, low blood pressure, coma, and death. Because tranq slows blood flow in the body, wounds are slow to heal, which leads to infection, necrosis, and limb amputations. Naloxone (Narcan) will not reverse the effects of tranq, so there is no quick intervention technique available in the streets for use by first responders for overdose.

Society continues to see drug addicts as “undesirables” who should Just quit already! The saying “there but for the grace of God go I” does not seem to apply to addiction because most people are convinced they will never become addicted to drugs or booze. I know from personal experience that it’s easy to shame and condemn myself without the help of my family, friends, and neighbors. So, it is critical that we work toward reducing and eliminating stigma related to substance use disorders. The shame associated with drug addiction will not go away on its own. It must be addressed head on.

The solution is redemption, both on a societal and a personal level. Redemption, even at its simplest definition, means saving or being saved from the sin and error of one’s lifestyle. As Christians in recovery, our redemptive work with alcoholics and drug addicts must mirror the ministry of Jesus Christ. Never once did He consider Himself above the sick and suffering, the prostitutes and adulterers, or anyone else. He considered no one “less desirable.” The first step in this any any ministry is love.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

If you or someone you know is struggling with active addiction, help is close at hand. The SAMHSA National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357.

References
1 DEA, “One Pill Can Kill,” https://www.dea.gov/onepill
2 Christian Penichet-Paul, “Illicit Fentanyl and Drug Smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico Border: An Overview, National Immigration Forum, Oct. 25, 2023, retrieved Dec. 3, 2023, https://immigrationforum.org/article/illicit-fentanyl-and-drug-smuggling-at-the-u-s-mexico-border-an-overview/
3 DEA,”DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine,” (n.d.), https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine
4 North Jersey Recovery Center, “The Harmful Rise & Effects if Tranq Dope,” April 7, 2022, retrieved Dec. 4, 2023, https://northjerseyrecovery.com/harmful-rise-effects-tranq-dope/