Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates? – 2 Corinthians 13:5

Many people only consider Matthew 7:16-20 in relation to others. They assess the fruits others are producing but forget to assess theirs. Salvation is on an individual basis and not congregational. You need to ask yourself some serious questions to know if you are on your way to heaven or hell. Don’t be surprised to know that many people who are in the Church, fervent and tongue-speaking will go to hell. In fact, Matthew 7:22-23 says some who have been performing miracles will end up in hell. Thus, you really need to examine yourself to be sure where you are headed. Ask yourself: Am I saved? Am I born again? Note that I am not telling you to ask yourself “Do I go to Church? Do people say I am born again? Am I a Pastor?” The real question is “Am I saved? Are the fruits I am producing the kind that should be produced by someone who is saved?” The word of God says it clearly: except you are born again, you shall not see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

We now live in a world where there are all manner of people calling themselves born-again Christians. There are ‘born-again’ robbers. They lift up ‘holy’ hands on Sunday, but on Monday morning, they use those hands to doctor figures in the office. Examine yourself: are you one of them? There are ‘born-again’ harlots, very fervent in the Church, but behind closed doors, they sleep with people who are not their spouses and engage in all other sorts of sexual immorality. Examine yourself. There are ‘born­ again’ liars; they know how to brandish lies so well that by the time they are done you may not even be able to differentiate between the truth and lies. Examine yourself.

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” – Philippians 2:12

Carry out a sincere examination on yourself with fear and trembling – fear for the destruction that awaits anyone who is not truly saved and trembling at imagining yourself standing before God on judgement day.

article by Pastor E.A. Adeboye