Inventory is an integral part of any business. People takes inventory to uncover theft, minimise loss, find flaws in sales strategies, evaluate product performance and get rid of out of date items. Most businesses take inventory of their stock at least once in a year to improve the business and meet target. As business owners takes inventory, the same way Christian need to pause from the busyness of life and take inventory of their lifestyle. Are there things in our life that are not pleasing to God? Are there areas of our life that needs improvement? Are we in the right track with God’s will? Have we forgotten our first love, Jesus Christ? (Revelation 2:4).
2 Corinthians 13:5 says "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith". This is a very challenging verse that urges us to examine our life to prove whether we are still in line with the will of God or whether we are off the track. To Examine ourselves means to see ourselves the way God sees us and identify any areas of strength, weakness, failure, mistakes, regrets and disappointments. It also means to identify any gifts, talents and skills that we are yet to explore. We can examine behaviour and attitude, such as anger, pride, envy, jealousy and rudeness that has paralysed our relationship with God and others.
HOW DO WE EXAMINE OUR LIFE?
Through the spirit of God.
Our salvation is always preceded by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. As we receive Jesus into our life, the Holy Spirit will convict us of our sins, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8).
Through the word of God
Hebrews 4:12 explains that the word of God is sharper than two-edged sword and it can penetrate deep down our joint and our spirit to judge our thought and our attitude. The word of God is a powerful instrument that can be used to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12-13; Romans 1:16). It allows us to examine any area of our life that have come short of the glory of God, so that we can be justified freely by His grace through the redemption power of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-26). The word Of God can teach, rebuke, correct and train us to be righteousness and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Because it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, we need to pause and be still in the presence of God (Psalm 46:10). We need to asses ourselves regularly and reflect upon our life by studying the word of God and allowing His spirit to transform us by the renewal of our mind. In doing so, we will be able to prove what is good, what is acceptable and what is the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).
WHY DO WE NEED TO TAKE INVENTORY?
Because God commands it.
We are to give careful thought to our ways, meaning, we must examine our life and our service to God and others (Haggai 1:5).
To know if we are still genuine Christian
Being born again is an experience gained when a person repents of their sins and turn to the Lord for their salvation. To be born again is a major criterion to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). As Christian, we constantly need to ask God to search us to know if we are still on track with His will (Psalm 139: 23-24).
To keep us in track with Gods will
At some point in our life, it is possible that we find ourselves guilty of letting God down, either in our service to Him or in our relationship with other because we are not perfect. If we are off track, we need to assess our life, identify areas of our shortcoming, rededicate ourselves to God, renew the covenant of salvation with Him and get back on track (Lamentations 3:40). It is important to review our life, so we don’t fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)
To be ready for the kingdom of God
Our target should be to enter the kingdom of God and reign with Jesus forever (John 3:3-5). It is paramount for Christians to regularly examine their ways, feel remorse, recognise their sins, repent and turn to God, because the kingdom of God is near (Matthew 3:1-2).
WHAT SIGNS SHOWS THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR?
The Sign of Deception
Many people will claim to be the Messiah and deceive people. Mathew 24:4-5 advised us to watch out, so that we are not deceived. Also, 1 John 4:1-6 urges us to test all spirit to see whether they are from God or whether they are false. Already, there are many false prophets around the world, claiming to be the messiah.
The Sign of wars and rumours of wars
It is obvious that wars among nations have already surged and there has been rumours and talks over upcoming wars and conflicts among nations (Matthew 24:7).
The Sign of Devastation and Perilous time
There is already hunger, famine, earthquakes, pestilence and the spread of deadly diseases, including AIDS, Covid 19 , Ebola and others (Luke 21:11 ; 2 Timothy 3:1-17).
Although, these are some of the signs that Jesus mentioned about the end time, however, He did mentioned that no one knows the time and the hour that He will come, except God (Matthew 24:36). It is therefore paramount for us to constantly reassess and review our life to ensure we are on track and ready for the coming of the Lord. We must be genuinely born again if we are going to see Jesus on the last day.
Are you genuinely born again? Inviting Jesus to come into our life in the past is not a proof that we are genuinely born again. If we lack the evidence to prove our salvation at the minute, it is likely that we have lost our faith. Being born again is not about putting up a front or lip service; it is about been in line with the will of God and been conformed to the standard of our Lord Jesus Christ. A truly born-again Christian is not a person that attends regular church service; neither is he or she is a church worker, a leader, a good preacher or a good bible reader. A true born-again Christian is someone in whom Christ dwells and someone who conforms to the standard of Jesus, including true righteousness and Holiness (Ephesians 4:24)
Beloved, is Jesus Christ in you? Are you in line with the true righteousness and Holiness of God? Are you in line with the will of God? Do you still gossip and speak evil about others? Do you still plan and device evil against others? Do you keep malice with people? Do you feel bad when others progress? Do you always seek ways to pull people down? Do you have the spirit of jealousy and envy in you? By taking an inventory of our service towards God, our neighbours, colleagues, church members, family members and strangers, we will be able to tell whether we are genuinely born again (Psalm 139: 23-24).
WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A GENUINE CHRISTIAN?
The internal testimony of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God will give an internal testimony and we will have a sense of feeling that Jesus dwells within us. (Romans 8:16).
A new lifestyle
The lifestyle of a born-again Christian can be easily distinguished from the worlds. There will be an evidence of changes in our attitudes and behaviour to those around us, to show that our new lifestyle is different to the old one (Ephesians 4:22-24, 1 John 2:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Righteousness that exceed the Pharisees
Having the righteousness of the Pharisee is not enough to get us to the kingdom of God. The Pharisees claim to be better than others, fast twice a week and give tithes regularly (Luke 18:9-14). By having the righteousness that exceeds the Pharisees, a truly born again Christian will have a revelation and knowledge of the true word of God and conform with the standard set by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24 Matthew 5:20). We need to realise that we are saved by grace and the mercy of God and not by our good work, (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5)
Holiness
It is very crucial for a truly born-again Christian to maintain holiness, without which no one will see God. (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 4:24).
Obedience
Obedience to the word of God is one of the key principles that will help a Christian to be in line with the will of God. Being obedient is also a sign of showing our love for God (Titus 1: 16; John 14:23)
Transformation
Once we become born again, our old lifestyle will change, and we will experience a new life. Accepting Jesus years back without maintaining the standard of Jesus cannot take us to the kingdom of God. Our current status will determine whether we are ready for eternal life (Romans 12:2; Corinthians 5:17)
Life free from sin
The basic message is that , God hates sin, therefore to stay in line with the will of God, we have to live a life free from sin, we have to repent of our sin and hunger and thirst for God (Romans 6:23)
Life full of the Fruit of the spirit
Since the will of God is for us to live like Christ , a born again Christian need to have all the fruit of the spirit to be able to evidence that our character is becoming more like Christ’s (Philippians 2:5; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:24).
Although the bible did not say that all the factors mentioned above will take us to the kingdom of God, however these characteristics will help us grow in grace and guide us towards the road to eternal life (2 Peter 3:17-18; Ephesians 2:8-9).
WHAT DOES ETERNAL LIFE MEAN TO US?
Matthew 7:13-14 gives a good clarification of the road that leads to eternal life. We were made to understand that the road to eternal life is narrow and few will go through it. The road to destruction is broad and many people will go through it. Many people will get on this broad road, because it does not require a change of lifestyle and so any behaviour, any character and any attitude can easily go through it. The narrow road is restricted and only those that are following the standard of true righteousness and holiness can enter through it (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 4:22-24)
In Matthew 7:21-22, we read that not everyone that says Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of God, but only those that are doing the will of God. Even those that have prophesied, cast out demon and done many wonderful works in the name of Jesus, will remind Jesus of their good work on that day, and Jesus will tell them that He does not know them.
Beloved, where do you stand? Do you prophesy, cast out demons and perform miracles, signs and wonders in the name of Jesus, do you pay heavy tithe, attend regular service, preach wonderful messages, pray round the clock and lead beautiful worship? Do you know that you can do all the above, even more, and not enter the kingdom of God?
How will you feel standing before our Lord Jesus Christ on Judgment day and discover that He does not recognise you, and as a result you are denied entrance into the kingdom of God. Revelation 22:12 say” Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done”
Everything happening around the world at present, including outbreak of coronavirus, HIV, Ebola, wars, pestilence, deception and many more, are all reminders that the end is near, and the kingdom of God is at hand. It is also a wake-up call for us to pause and examine ourselves, so we don’t miss the kingdom of God.
WHAT WE MAY NEED TO DO
In stillness and quietness take time to examine yourself
Examine yourself to see whether you have any negative attributes that will prevent you from entering the kingdom of God. Some of these attributes may include sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, rivalries, envy, drunkenness, (Galatians 5:19-21)
Pause and ask the Holy Spirit for revelation
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if you are still genuinely born again. Take inventory to see what is missing in your journey with Jesus and what the enemy has stolen from you. Ask God for restoration (John 16:13; Psalm 51:12; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Psalm 139: 23-24)
Search the word of God and Repent
Read the scripture and check if you are on track with your salvation and holiness. If you feel that you are off track, repent, take responsibility, implement correction and new ways of life that conforms with the standard of Jesus and the will of God (Psalm 51: 1-12; Revelation 2:4–5 ; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; Hebrews 4:12).
Pray and Rededicate your life to Jesus
We need to return to God in prayer and rededicate our life to Him. Rededication means to humble ourselves, confess our sins and return to God with all our heart (Hosea 14:1-9; Joel 2:12 ; 2 Chronicles 7:14).
Invite Jesus to take charge
It is not by power nor by might. We must allow the spirit of God to lead us and let Jesus be the driver of our life. He alone can get us back on track and make us progress positively until the last day. (Zechariah 4:6)
Beloved, the end is near, and Jesus is coming soon (Revelation 22:12). If the trumpet shall sound today, will you be transformed and reign with Jesus forever? (1 Corinthians 15:52). It is time to get back on track and be ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If you have not yet giving your life to Jesus, please do so today, believe that Jesus is the son of God and He died to take away our sins.
