examine yourselves......

The book by JC Ryle, "Are You Ready For The End Of Time," struck a nerve with me.

It was definitely a book for our times even though he wrote it in the late eighteen hundreds.

And then this morning I read this verse from II Corinthians 12:5......

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!

Mr Ryle gave what he called "special evidences" of the true Christian's relation to God.

1. True Christians are led by His Spirit.

Romans 8:14 "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

2. True Christians have the feelings of adopted children toward their Father in heaven.

Romans 8:15 "Ye have not received again the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye
have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

3. True Christians have the witness of the Spirit in their consciences.

Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of
God."

4. All the sons of God take part in the suffering of Christ.

Romans 8:17 ""If children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ, if so be that we
suffer with Him."

So there in His word God laid out the measure. At a later time, hopefully today, I will do my best to explain these standards a little further.

It is very important that we be READY when Jesus returns!